One Possible Idea: Re-Inventing The 'Aero-Club' Concept For
North America
In the next few days, literally, we're going to take the wraps
off a project we've been working on for well over a year (actually,
closer to two years)... a way to retask and transform the FAILED
BUSINESS MODEL of General Aviation and start a series of
(occasionally) radical changes NECESSARY to see this industry
survive.

Whew... and I really mean that.
While much of the industry (especially the alphabet
associations) seems determined to demonstrate the definition of
insanity (doing the same thing over and over and expecting a
different result), we really must adjust our minds to embrace and
promote aggressive processes to seek extensive change. From my
years working with XPrize's Peter Diamandis, Gregg Maryniak and so
many others, I know this is not only possible, but there exists an
excellent and dependable framework that can be adapted to produce a
true aviation renaissance. No kidding. With the help, aid and
support of the some of the brightest and most outspoken members of
the aviation world, we've going to unveil the initial step to
Aero-Transformation... 'ATC2012' ... and start a
real honest to goodness revolution.
No kidding folks, this is the BIGGEST RISK/CHALLENGE/TASK I have
ever undertaken... and I've never been more excited about something
like this in my life.

In the meantime, though, let's note that all solid
transformational change doesn't have to be all that radical... AND
that there are some good models, even some pretty old ones that
will dust off nicely, to produce ONE solution set, of the MANY,
that will be needed to see aviation through the rest of the 21st
century.
Lets look at one that I've discussed quite a bit over the last
decade. Bridging the cost gap between the aircraft owner 'wanna-be'
and that time in the future that they may actually be able to take
on such an expensive obligation.
I speak about the "Aero-Club" concept that I brought up, a
number of times over the last few years. Let's reacquaint
ourselves...
I don't have to tell you that aircraft ownership is
prohibitively expensive and well beyond the reach of many of those
who so desperately want the plane of their dreams. Most of us are
afflicted with the aviation bug when quite young… long
before the worldly concerns of higher education, chasing the
opposite sex (or the same, if you're wired that way) and finding a
solid career (among SO many other conflicts) rear their ugly heads.
For many, you have to be at least half way through your normal
lifespan before you have the financial wherewithal and other
resources to be able to afford an airplane so that you can feed
your desire to fly, at will.

By the time that a person can afford it, though, many of their
younger dreams of flight have died off and the enthusiasm we see,
sporadically, at today's overtly confined and fenced airports is
squashed long before those passions can truly take root for a
lifetime.
Think about it… by the time that most of us can afford
what we want in terms of an airplane, the commitments of everyday
life have all but trashed the early yearnings to fly that so many
of today's non-flying public admit to. Renting planes is a
difficult and expensive process at many FBOs, access to same is
often quite limited, and there is little of the social
reinforcement that other pastimes offer. We have to find a way to
bridge the gap between youthful enthusiasm and legitimate interest
-- and then finally having the means to indulge in the passion of
flight.
Mind you; other endeavors do not seem to be troubled as badly as
we see in aviation. For example, along a minor thoroughfare that
passes by the residential airpark that I live on, the route North
(bordered by the St. Johns River) boasts a number of small friendly
boating marinas that provide a social network for those enamored of
such activities as well as a haven for their boats. Many of these
have a small gathering place, a pub or small eating establishment,
a club or other organization and a number of means by which these
communities provide a loose social compact for those who enjoy this
recreational diversion. On weekends, these places are
packed… many evenings, as well… and there is
obviously something going on that binds these boaters together when
they're not actually off boating.
Think of what we might accomplish if we had something similar
for aviators… flying clubs that could bridge the gap of
affordability, and provide ready access and social reinforcement
that would keep the interest in aviation alive for those without
the means to become full-time owners… as well as a place to
enjoy the company and esprit de corps of other flyers. For those
just starting out… or those on retirement incomes, these
clubs, scattered at locations near major population centers and
using attractive new LSAs, as well as more conventional airframes,
can provide the impetus to keep a new flyer in the game as they
climb the rungs of the ladder of life… or provide a pleasant
and affordable way to stay flying to those enjoying their senior
years.
They should provide more than just access to airplanes…
but a gathering point for erstwhile flyers AND their families to
meet, enjoy the camaraderie of other flyers, and provide a good
time even when everyone isn't flying. There should be regular
gatherings, parties, dances, lessons, seminars, family outings, and
as many organized flying activities as possible… with
Saturday and Sunday morning fly-outs to popular breakfast spots or
local airshows being just the tip of the iceberg.
With solid social event planning and an organizational structure
that invites regular participation, we can build a network of
activity that can keep people interested as they build their lives
to the point where full-time aircraft ownership becomes
practical…. And we shouldn't miss a trick in doing
so… with everything from aero-movie nights for flyers and
families to kiddie playgrounds that feature aeronautically themed
kiddie rides so that the young ones can 'fly' while their Daddy or
Mommy does it for real. There are a million little ideas that can
be utilized to customize a flying club to the locale and clientele
in a specific area… and a little creativity can build a
following for aviation that could put the boating industry to
shame… face it, aviation is a heck of a lot more exciting
and versatile… but we have to find a way to provide the
accessibility that is so evident in boating, RVing, and other
endeavors.
Overseas, flying club activity is often more pervasive, (by
shear necessity… aviation overseas is even more
expensive/restrictive than it is here in the states), and it is
also a far more social activity… with all manner of events
and gatherings that not only bring pilots together, but members of
their families, to boot. Not only are these clubs helping to keep
the costs down, make airplanes accessible to pilots, and providing
a social structure for flyers and their families… they have
often become an abiding part of their nation's aviation
infrastructure. And best of all; to many of those who have joined
such groups as they worked their way through life to the point
where they could afford an airplane of their own, they have kept
their affiliation simply because such clubs added to their
enjoyment of the aviation world.
We can take some serious guidance and inspiration from such
programs… to serve here as a template for a future network
of flying clubs that offers just what this industry needs, ready
access to reasonably affordable aircraft as well as a reinforcing
social network that will keep flyers involved and enthused to be a
part of an extraordinary family of humanity… known as
flyers.
So… there's the problem (the decline of the flying club)
-- and a possible solution (recrafting them to fit in with the
needs of today's erstwhile flyer) - what do you think? What ideas
do you have? What would constitute the PERFECT flying club for YOU?
How might you improve on this outline? How would you promote it?
SPEAK UP! We look forward to hearing from you.
And while I've got your attention, I have a little homework for
you and I would GREATLY appreciate it if you would take the time to
spend a few minutes and respond with answers to THREE
questions...
-
What Is THE Greatest Threat Facing General Aviation?
-
What Are GA's GREATEST Remaining Asset(s)/Strength(s)???
-
If you had to pick a few dozen people, (the most innovative,
trustworthy, successful and knowledgeable) to set forth a new
agenda for the future of aviation... would you please name a few of
those whom you would choose/trust and select?