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First: Ask the right question

April 26, 2010 by 2 Comments

When I was a relatively young instructor I had the good fortune to call a small uncontrolled airport in central Connecticut my home base. Meriden Markham may not make the annals of aviation as a hotbed of technical achievement, innovative design, or the home of a manufacturing marvel, but I learned more about teaching, and business management, and the importance of successfully marketing a service during my time flying for Meriden Aviation than I have at any other flying job.

Part of that education was happenstance. It was nothing more complicated than good luck that brought me to work for a chief pilot named Frank Gallagher. It was Frank who taught me the valuable lesson that a well-planned cooperative effort can have far more powerful results than a Herculean individual attempt. I’m not entirely sure that was his intent, but that was the lesson I took away from my time in Meriden. Working together to achieve a clearly understandable common goal works. It’s just that simple.

As unusual as it may seem, my first assignment as an instructor at Meriden involved a file cabinet and a phone. There was no airplane involved. Frank simply pointed me, and another new-hire instructor, to a file cabinet full of student records and assigned us to select the students who had stopped flying, but had not earned their ratings or certificates. With that pile of files on our desks, we started making phone calls. [Read more...]

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Presenting a whole new perspective

April 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment

While dodging raindrops and chatting amiably on Sun ‘n Fun Radio with the three highly animated hosts of the Uncontrolled Airspace podcast, the question came up: “What interested you most during Sun ‘n Fun this year?”

To be honest, those may not have been the actual words spoken. The fact that a river of air-cooled liquid was running down my back at the time may have distracted me from taking accurate notes. But that is a pretty fair representation of the question. Dave, Jeb, and Jack looked my way expectantly, microphones at the ready. The rain continued.

My answer would have been the same even if I was drowning. To paraphrase my response, this may have been my most satisfying Sun ‘n Fun ever, because I had the opportunity to escort an actual power-broker (Winter Haven’s City Manager) to both the Splash-In on Lake Agnes, and through nearly every square foot of Sun ‘n Fun proper on the following day. That is an opportunity I have never had before. What a break! I got to escort a public official through two major aviation gathering sites, on two successive days, and introduce him to the diversity of general aviation in an up close and personal way. And that’s important considering that this is one of a handful of people who is responsible for the management of the airport in the city I live in.

Consider these shocking revelations that we discovered.

Filed Under: Politics for Pilots

Discovering common ground

April 15, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Airshow season has begun. At least it has in Florida, where the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo is in full bloom. The skies are blue, the winds are brisk, and the rain is at least a time zone away. All in all, the conditions are perfect for the central focus of this auspicious annual event – hangar flying.

I know, you thought Sun ‘n Fun was about airplanes, helicopters, homebuilts, warbirds, whiz-bang avionics or some other nonsense. Nope. It’s almost entirely about aviation enthusiasts getting together with other aviation enthusiasts, to talk about everybody’s favorite subject – aviation and how we deal with it!

On opening day I spent an absolutely stellar afternoon talking to pilots from Kentucky, New Hampshire, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, England, and who knows where else. They all had questions, and they all had stories. And yes, each and every conversation I was drawn into was entertaining, enlightening, and entirely worthwhile. Hopefully, the other participants came away with the same sense of connection that I felt. Based on the fist-full of business cards and hastily scribbled notes I collected, it would seem the benefit was mutual. [Read more...]

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You’ve talked the talk, now walk the walk!

April 12, 2010 by 2 Comments

As I write this blog post it is Monday afternoon, April 12. In a few hours I will sit at the dais at City Hall, flanked by four fellow city commissioners, all committed to doing the business of the people. But tonight will be different. Tonight will have an undeniably pro-aviation angle to it, something that has not happened in my home town for many, many years. A sitting commissioner will sing the praises of general aviation, and he’ll do it on the record.

Like me, you know that a massive gathering of aviation’s faithful are coming together, even now, at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in central Florida. Sun ‘n Fun officially opens its doors Tuesday, an annual event that is celebrated by untold hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts from all over the globe. Some, like me, will be there in person. Others celebrate from afar, tied down by work, or family, or a stalled cold front that they can’t get over or around.

Like the Cubbies, we all hope for better luck next year.

[Read more...]

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Cardinal Flyers Unite!

April 5, 2010 by Leave a Comment

There are benefits to throwing the door open and seeing who comes sauntering through it. If airports thrive on traffic and visitors, perhaps there is benefit to hosting fly-ins both large and small throughout the year, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Failing the willingness of the management to host the event, why not let the public decide? Whatever works for your airport, your tenants and users, just might work for pilots and visitors from farther afield than you would ever imagine.

Most of us have spent a long, cold, snowy winter and would love to find a plausible reason to take a few days off, head south, and catch a few welcome rays of golden sunshine. If you can do it with friends and throw a good meal into the mix, all the better.

I see an opportunity. Actually, a bunch of other people saw an opportunity and grabbed it. I’m just glad to be able to watch from the sidelines and enjoy the benefits of general aviation as a big ol’ brotherhood (sisterhood) of great people.

For the 11th year in a row the Cardinal Flyers are gathering in my neighborhood to swap stories and share a little friendly tech talk. Members of this type club gather annually to revel in the company of other pilots and passengers who appreciate the luxurious speed and sleek good looks of perhaps the sexiest high wing ever made – the Cessna Cardinal. Scheduled for the week prior to Sun ‘n Fun, only 14 miles from show central at Gilbert Field in Winter Haven, Florida – the Cardinals are coming, the Cardinals are coming! What a way to kick off the start of the airshow season, the long awaited arrival of Spring, and visit with friends who know a thing or two about flying cross country in search of a good time.

For more information: Cardinal Flyers Online.

Jamie Beckett is a CFI and A&P mechanic who stepped into the political arena in an effort to promote and protect GA at his local airport. You can reach him at Jamie@GeneralAviationNews.com.

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And then Tecnam came to town…

April 1, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Ed Totanes has set up shop and maintains a sales office on behalf of Tecnam North America, in the new terminal building at Gilbert Field. As the distributor for a full line of light sport aircraft as well as a highly publicized new light twin, Tecnam North America is the first new aircraft manufacturer to establish a presence on the field. A decision that was based in large part on a firm handshake, a warm smile, and a sincere offer of encouragement from the airport's management.

Ed Totanes has set up shop on behalf of Tecnam North America in the new terminal building at Gilbert Field. The distributor for a full line of LSAs, as well as a highly publicized new light twin, Tecnam North America is the first aircraft manufacturer to establish a presence on the field, a decision based on a firm handshake, a warm smile, and a sincere offer of encouragement from the airport's management.

Like so many uncontrolled airports dotting the landscape, my home field has always been a bit sparse on the business front. We had the FBO…and we had…you know, we had the…umm….well, we had the FBO,

This has, at times, been a real point of contention for the locals, because our lack of GA business tenants was never due to the field’s lack of potential or disinterest on the part of the users. Rather, our dearth of commercial operations was more deeply rooted in the fact that the management staff had little confidence and even less knowledge of what a general aviation airport’s purpose might be. As unlikely as it might seem, the idea of stopping by to actually ask the users what sort of amenities and services they might like to see housed on site never occurred to anyone in a position of authority. From the airport manager right on up through the command structure, our airport’s management specialized in the cold shoulder technique.

Certainly, suggestions were made over the years. But making a compelling argument for managed growth to a disinterested bureaucrat is as likely to be successful as trying to teach a drunk teenager about the importance of responsible, long-term financial planning. In either case, you might as well be talking to the wall. Actually, talking to the wall is probably a slightly better deal. At least with the wall you have something comfortable to lean on while you’re being ignored. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics for Pilots, Web Exclusive

Singing the airport’s praises

March 24, 2010 by Leave a Comment

GA isn't what most people think it is: Certainly, it couldn't be a 10-year-old Madie Beckett at the controls of C140...right?

GA isn't what most people think it is: Certainly, it couldn't be a 10-year-old Madie Beckett at the controls of C140...right?

It may seem odd to some, but I love spending time at the airport. Sure, pilots and aircraft mechanics understand the allure of the airport. But the average Jane or Joe may think it a little peculiar that a grown man has an interest in going to the airport whenever the opportunity presents itself.

Part of that disconnect is that I, like most general aviation pilots, have an entirely different relationship with the airport than my non-aviation-oriented neighbors do. This divergence of views is perfectly understandable, really, because the word, “airport” is an entirely subjective term in the real world.

While I envision smiles and casual conversation over coffee with like-minded friends, my neighbors imagine long lines and metal detectors. On any given day I might wander out onto the ramp to inspect a new acquaintance’s airplane, yet the wider public thinks of crowded terminals, funky conveyor belts moving passengers past the throngs as if they were all just generic goods on an assembly line, and gate areas that are anything but inviting. [Read more...]

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Tavares, Florida: America’s Seaplane City

March 17, 2010 by 1 Comment

With a population nudging its way up to 15,000 residents, the city of Tavares, Florida, is a small city with big dreams. Nestled in the green expanse of aptly named Lake County, there is arguably more water in the western side of the county than there is dry land. Perhaps that realization was the impetus that caused a bright idea to form at city hall — an idea that has grown to fruition and is about to be big news in this corner of the world.

Tavares has taken the bold step of embracing a unique segment of the general aviation market in a way that would cause most city administrators to wince with concern. But this little city has high hopes and a plan to help revitalize their community. Tavares has branded itself as the America’s Seaplane City — and they’re not kidding in the least.

With an investment of millions of dollars in the Lake Dora waterfront area, Tavares Seaplane and Marina Base has installed boat and seaplane docks within a short walk of the downtown area. Fuel is available and ready to pump into aircraft or boats, and a 3,000-foot virtual landing strip has been established approximately half a mile off the community’s downtown shoreline. [Read more...]

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Carpe Diem: A new mission statement

March 8, 2010 by Leave a Comment

Winter Haven’s Gilbert Field (GIF)  is located in the heart of central Florida. This part of the world is bathed in sunshine and warmth, and dotted with dozens of lakes custom made for fishing, boating, skiing, and seaplane flying. But there is another geographical benefit that has been lost on the administrators of this outstanding uncontrolled field for 36 years: Sun ‘n Fun is located a mere 14 miles to the west.

This massive, week-long gathering of aviation aficionados has historically been the busiest week of the year at Winter Haven’s airport, too. Yet somehow, the management of Winter Haven’s Gilbert Field mistook the influx of visitors from the north and west as a welcome, yet random, bit of good luck. It is only now, with undeniably aviation friendly oversight, that the city has taken a second look at what opportunity truly looks like – and they are taking action.

Part of the problem was that it’s not always obvious that a service industry business requires a strong dedication to customer service skills to turn opportunity into success. Another aspect of that historical myopia was the fact that nobody involved in the management of the airport had any background in aviation – or any interest in gaining any experience in the field.

Turning a deaf ear and a blind eye to your customers can get expensive. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Politics for Pilots

The surprising secret to negotiating a good hangar lease

March 2, 2010 by 2 Comments

With the possible exception of that ego-enhanced titan of real estate and self-promotion, Donald Trump, most of us don’t particularly relish the idea of sitting down to hammer out a new contract. We don’t care for the process at the car dealership, we’re skittish in the lawyer’s office where we close on our homes, and we wouldn’t mind skipping the periodic visit to the airport manager’s office where we delve into the myriad unpleasant possibilities that may arise with each new hangar lease.

In short, almost nobody puts contract renegotiation at the top of their list of favorite things to do on a sunny afternoon.

Still, both sides need the protection of a contract. The days of long-term business arrangements that were based on a handshake and a smile are long gone – if they ever existed at all. Both parties need the assurance that they know exactly what they are agreeing to when it comes to negotiations. [Read more...]

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