Hog-Wild for Flying!…Now We’re Talking!

January 28, 2008

If you are one of the tens who have been reading my series of posts about getting more people “Hog-Wild for Flying” (learning from our friends who are part of the Harley community), I have Good News!!  A flegling commercial radio program has begun for GA, and by the looks of the hosts, sponsorship and content so far, I think their future is bright!

I discovered this link in my EAA e-newsletter that led me to a new weekly broadcast radio program out of Jacksonville, Florida.  It’s called FlightTime Radio, and the focus of the show is general aviation, particularly the small GA planes that most of us fly.  Plus a heaping helping of Sport Pilot and aircraft discussion.  The show is broadcast on AM 1320 (WBOB) Saturday mornings.  Starting February 2, the live broadcast starts at 10am, Eastern time, and they seem to have settled on a 2-hour show. 

 flighttime_pic.jpg

 Like every good Web 2.0 endeavor, you can also listen to the show live using a link at their website, or you can download (and soon subscribe to) the shows as podcasts.

The two hosts are Milford Shirley and Brian Kraut, a couple of local guys who love aviation and are having what sounds like one heck of a good time breaking into the radio biz.  It’s great to have this positive, enthusiastic image of GA being communicated to the general public on a weekly basis 

Milton and Brian are thinking ahead, too, seeking to grow their radio broadcast market and helping local EAA chapters at the same time.  Get the program broadcast on your local station, and your EAA chapter can get a piece of the action.

Now if every pilot tells two people, who tell two people, who tell two people….about this radio show….maybe we can plant some seeds….   Did my part.  I’ve told, what, maybe 10 people who read this blog :-)

Bravo, Milford and Brian!  Best of luck to you!

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Posted by brianflys

Hog-Wild for Flying!…Comparing Safety

January 4, 2008

I’ve been comparing flying to riding motorcycles in terms of popularity, attitude, and social environment, to understand why more people are not drawn to private flying. 

Recently, I came upon several articles about motorcycle and aviation safety. The results may suggest how we communicate private flying to the population of potential pilots and aircraft owners. It turns out that the safety trends for motorcycles and GA flying are diverging.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle fatalities are climbing, particularly for over-40 age riders. In 2006, fatalities increased overall by 5% over 2005, while fatalities for riders aged 40-49 and 50-59 increased 7.5% and 10% (fatalities for riders aged 20-29 also increased 10%).  These older riders have achieved business success, raised families, and now want the excitement and feeling that comes from freedom, speed, the open road, and the social environment provided by riding motorcycles.  But this experience on generally heavier, more powerful bikes comes at a price for the older, slower healing bodies.

  motor_fatal_age.jpg

In contrast, the 2006 general aviation safety statistics in the Nall Report show continued improvements in both total and fatal accident rates.  In 2006, total accident numbers dropped by 8.3%, fatal accidents dropped by 6.5%, and total fatalities decreased by 2%.  Single engine, fixed gear aircraft, 2/3 of the GA fleet, showed substantial safety improvement, with total accidents dropping 11.3% and fatal accidents dropping 22.4%. While it can be argued that any fatality is too many, the trend continues in a positive direction.  The danger signal though, is that flying activity continues to drop.  Accident and fatality rates are dropping, but so are the flying hours. 

Nall Report Trends 2006        ga-stat.jpg

So which is safer; GA flying or motorcycles?  That’s a loaded question. Objective comparisons are difficult since GA flying is measured in flying hours and motorcycle riding is measured in miles traveled. Converting hours to miles involve speed assumptions that are likely targets for criticism. What average speed do you assume for GA aircraft with average cruise speeds that range from sub-100 mph up to over 500 mph?  Even assuming speeds at the lower end of this range shows GA flying to have far lower fatality rates than motorcycles.  But it’s still a difficult comparison because the operating environment and accident facts are so different. That said, GA flying is relatively safer and the safety margin is increasing compared with riding motorcycles.

But can flying provide the visceral satisfaction that is found in riding motorcycles, so participants are able to enjoy this safety premium?  There is certainly an aspect of freedom once you get off the ground (no traffic lanes, still areas of uncontrolled airspace).  There is speed.  There is also a 3rd dimension that can be fully explored via aerobatics.  And there is community, although this is one area that needs work.  So we have some of this also working for us.

The goal here is not to lure away everyone who rides.  Certain traits make people better candidates to be pilots, and we want to attract those folks.  Can we learn from other successful activities, what attracts the participants, and where does GA flying have benefits or have deficiencies that can be overcome so we grow but remain safe?

Safety is one area where we accel (and where we continue to focus efforts).  How can we use this comparative benefit to get new participants….hog wild for flying?

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Posted by brianflys

Fed Up With TSA? Become Your Own Pilot!

January 1, 2008

A very enlightened post in the New York Times blog “Jet Lagged“ focuses the bright, harsh light of reality on the highly questionable reasons for and procedures implementing security forced upon the traveling public by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).  Patrick Smith, an air carrier pilot and author, describes in The Airport Security Follies, how the current passenger screening practices are “irrational, wasteful, and pointless.” For example, he explains why screening passengers for sharp objects is basically a waste of time:

In years past, a takeover meant hostage negotiations and standoffs; crews were trained in the concept of “passive resistance.” All of that changed forever the instant American Airlines Flight 11 collided with the north tower. What weapons the 19 men possessed mattered little; the success of their plan relied fundamentally on the element of surprise. And in this respect, their scheme was all but guaranteed not to fail.

For several reasons — particularly the awareness of passengers and crew — just the opposite is true today. Any hijacker would face a planeload of angry and frightened people ready to fight back. Say what you want of terrorists, they cannot afford to waste time and resources on schemes with a high probability of failure. And thus the September 11th template is all but useless to potential hijackers.

Smith also covers the questionable basis of the infamous 3-1-1 Rule and the positively silly practice of screening air carrier pilots and cabin crew in the same manner as the public.

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Unfortunately, wrapped in its patriotic cloak of anti-terror, TSA is operating virtually without oversight, with broad powers and a heavy hammer for anyone who questions their methods or motives: the dreaded No-Fly List.  Will this Absolute Power Corrupt Absolutely?  Has it already?

More importantly, can you avoid this senseless drill, but still get to work/vacation/home?  In many cases, YES, you can.  The answer?  Be your own pilot.  Yes, the cost and time investment is relatively high for someone who currently is not a pilot.  But increasingly I see and hear other professionals who have thrown off the shackles of TSA screening and airline abuse to fly themselves.  I gladly incur the added cost and personal responsibility of being my own pilot in exchange for avoiding TSA and the airlines.  In many cases, by avoiding the need to arrive at the airport hours early for screening, avoiding airline delays, using airports closer to my destination, and getting a free shuttle ride, courtesy car, rental car or taxi from the FBO (rather than waiting for baggage, the rental car shuttle, renting a car…) there is no time penalty for trips up to about 500 miles using a piston single airplane. And the trip itself? Priceless!

Through programs such as the industry-sponsored ”Be A Pilot” you can find the resources you need to learn to fly.  The cost?  If you can afford a Harley, BMW, bass boat, or RV, you should have little trouble budgeting flying lessons.  Depending on your company’s travel policies, you could even have most or all of your flying cost covered.  Of course, if you are the boss, the decision is yours!  It’s not the answer for everyone.  But if you are motivated (and that is why you are successful, eh?) it is something to consider.

Wave “Bye” to the airline terminal as you taxi past for departure in your plane (even if it’s a rental), on your own schedule, as pilot in command. Oh, and with your own toothpaste, shampoo, drinking water, and maybe even a pair of scissors!

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Posted by brianflys