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From: bills@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Bill Standerfer)
Newsgroups: rec.aviation
Subject: Re: Bigger Fish Theory of Airport Use
Message-ID: <2510159@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM>
Date: Tue, 21 May 91 10:33:47 PDT
References: <1991May15.191811.26270@umbc3.umbc.edu>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Loveland, CO
Lines: 93

In article <1991May15.191811.26270@umbc3.umbc.edu>, robie@umbc2.umbc.edu (Mr.
William Robie; POSI (GRAD)) writes:
>Some Historic Information on the Development of Public-Use Airports in the US:
>
>[...]
>	What that leaves us, around the 1950s, is an increasingly-fragmented
>sport aviation interest, declining non-flying public interest in local small
>airports, and an incredibly influential air transport industry that would
>like all the aviation legislation to favor their operations.
>
>Strategy Proposal for General Aviation:
>
>[ideas to promote broader base of support for GA and airports]
>
>	Whatever you do, solve problems...but solve them in a manner that
>begins with an assumption that all forms of aviation should be included, not
>told to go somewhere else.

First, let me put on my hat as vice-president of the Colorado Pilots
Association, then discuss what we are doing in our state to help the situation.
Perhaps it will help motivate you to do something locally.

I think the "he who has the gold rules" underlying theme in Bill's conclusion
is quite right.  It happens time and time again.  Build a new airport out away
from folks and they seem to flock to it because the land is cheap.  I have yet
to see any county or city planning department have the guts to stand up to big
money and protect the airport investment.  Education is the only way to make
it happen.

We at CPA have recently started a "teen flight" program to try to get to the
kids (mostly high school age) to show them the fun of aviation, whether as a
career or as a hobby.  On May 11, we had over 60 kids (and even some interested
parents) take short rides with almost 30 volunteer pilots.  While waiting their
turn, those on the ground had tower tours at Centennial (Denver), and other
short sessions to explain what was going on.  It was very successful,
hopefully generating some interest in a few, but also defusing some
antiaviation thoughts in most.  We will try this again soon in southern
Colorado.  The local Antique Airplane Association chapter also has a similar
program this year and should reach even more people with the message.

Every year for the past few, the aviation fraternity at Metro State University
in Denver has had a food drive for Easter.  CPA has gathered volunteer pilots
to then take the food out to the smaller towns around Colorado.  Now,
admittedly, if we just all donated the fuel money, we could have bought more
food, but the receiving agencies were very appreciative of what we did and
there was some positive local press about the affair.

Our organization is also teaching a mountain flying course, in addition to
sponsoring Wings Programs around the state, to help improve the rather dismal
safety record in the state (33% higher accident rate in Colorado than the
average of other states).  We have also taken the mountain flying ground school
out to Iowa and Nebraska, with very positive results.  On the first trip (to
Greenfield, IA), a Denver Post reporter (and GA pilot) went along for the day
and wrote a very positive article about how GA is trying to improve its lot
through education.

We were also involved in a committee to get the new Denver TCA designed, with
features to make the impact on all users as small as possible.  We will do the
same with some proposed major changes to the local MOA's.  This effort was
viewed very positively by FAA, locally, in the Northwest Region in Seattle,
and, I understand, by Washington.  The committee had members from many of the
aviation groups in the state, including AOPA, EAA, the Antiquers, glider
associations, jumpers, the Air Transport Association, ALPA, etc.  It can happen,
but you have to be willing to understand the other person's views.  The most
interesting thing I found while on this committee was how ignorant many
segments of aviation are of the other segments.  Airline pilots don't, in
general, know what a glider pilot does; the reverse is also true in spades.
The poor FAA is in the middle of the mess with the mandate to make the system
available to all users.  Regarding our MOA effort, I have offered an F-16 pilot
who is the program chief on the new MOA design a ride in our airplane to show
him our side of the problem.  I'm not counting on a reciprocal arrangement,
though.  :-(

My point is this.  YOU can change the aviation world for the better.  Our
association is relatively new and small (450 members, but growing!), but we
have made an impact by just being interested and involved.  There are lots of
ways to begin to help the public's perception of GA.  All it takes is a little
creativity and hard work to begin.  It will not come overnight.  You have to
pick away at the mountain a little at a time, but eventually we might be able
to change public opinion.  I don't propose that we want to convert the whole
world to pilots.  Things are busy enough now!  However, we do need to find
ways, small ways, to show the non-GA public how useful GA is to them.  Use
every opportunity possible to let the public (including the pilot-but-not-GA
public) get to know you as a GA pilot.  That should help them to understand
that we aren't rich cowboys out buzzing their homes and creating all manor of
problems.

Bill

Bill Standerfer -- KF0DJ -- Baron N1746W
bills@hpisla.hp.com or {...}!hplabs!hpisla!bills
Hewlett Packard Measurement Systems Operation
PO Box 301, Loveland, CO  80539 -- 303-679-2378