Business Jet Traveler Managing Director Wilson S. Leach, who also is head of Aviation International News, has issued an “urgent message” to the business aviation community stating that “Business aviation has suddenly become the whipping boy for many populist causes. The general media and many members of Congress are having a field day with this issue. They have succeeded in completely misrepresenting the value of business aircraft.”
Leach is not alone in that. AOPA President Craig Fuller said much the same in his first public speech, delivered to the Wichita Aero Club on Jan. 28, and NBAA President Ed Bolen has written a letter to the White House protesting the current government attitude toward business aviation.
Leach’s letter calls upon business aircraft owners to “bring up your use of business aviation directly with your stockholders. Don’t shy away from the subject-meet it head on. Defend the utility of your aircraft. Explain why it is mandatory that you have private air transportation at your disposal.” He urges the business aviation community to make that point clear to the President and to Members of Congress.
