While the GA industry is seeing signs of stabilization, it looks like 2010 will be a bleak year, with low production rates, low order rates and no hiring on the horizon. That was the message from some of the industry’s leaders at the Wichita Aero Club’s first online summit Dec. 15. Bringing together top executives […]
Bonus depreciation set to expire end of year
Forget Cash for Clunkers. Airplane operators have bonus depreciation as a powerful incentive to upgrade. But you’ll have to act quickly. The federal Economic Stimulus package that allows for the special depreciation benefit expires at the end of 2009. What’s more, the IRS has expanded the expensing election of Section 179 of the tax code […]
Jet seals deal for Garth Brooks to headline in Vegas
Garth Brooks opened as a headliner last weekend at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas, brought out of retirement when Steve Wynn offered the megastar the use of a private jet so he could fly back to Oklahoma to be with his three daughters. In a story in the Las Vegas Review Journal, Brook […]
NBAA pulls ads from USA Today
In response to the latest story about general aviation that appeared on the front page of the Dec. 14 edition of USA Today (FAA low priorities get $3.5 billion in grants), the National Business Aviation Association has discontinued “indefinitely” its advertising for its “No Plane No Gain” campaign in the national newspaper. “We’ve been running […]
Grass roots PR: Changing public perception one airport at a time
By GUY R. MAHER General aviation has sure taken its lumps lately — from the tanked economy to a rekindled poor public perception of our industry in general. As the alphabet groups, manufacturers, and many other organizations continue their global PR offensive, grass roots efforts to stir up business and alter the poor public perception […]
CAF establishes Hall of Fame
The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has established the CAF Member Hall of Fame. “We want to recognize those individuals responsible for setting the course that the Commemorative Air Force has taken,” said CAF President Stephan Brown. “The CAF has grown over the years from a small band of pilots to a group of over 8,500 […]
Air camping association launches
Don Abbott, a Florida-based entrepreneur, has launched the American Air Campers Association. According to a story at AOPA.org, Abbott said few pilots realize that 900 U.S. airports and 160 seaplane bases allow camping, and 1,500 state, local, and national parks are in close proximity to general aviation airports. The story quotes Abbott: “Air camping is […]
NATA releases video briefing: ‘FLY’
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has issued the third release in the “Coyne’s Video Briefings” series titled “FLY.” In this video, NATA President James Coyne asserts that the best way to get the economy moving is to start flying more and encourage others to do so as well. As we approach the 106th anniversary […]
Cessna Pilot Centers gain FAA approval for new training course
Four Cessna Pilot Centers are the first training schools to gain approval from the FAA under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 141 to use Cessna’s new Sport/Private Pilot Course in their private pilot certificate training programs. The Cessna Pilot Centers gaining approval are: Air Fleet Training Systems Inc., Fairfield, N.J.; Snohomish Flying Service, Snohomish, Wash.; […]