Month: June 2020

Wheels Up! 2020

The first days of Summer 2020 are upon us and the heat is returning to Houston. We’re hopeful the progression of COVID-19 will recede as the temps rise and that effective treatments and a vaccine are on the near horizon to reduce the health risks we all face. No matter where you live, we hope you and your family are staying safe, and finding some time to fly.

2020 is wikiWings 7th year online and marks the milestone of more than 350 weblogs. We’re interested in general aviation market trends, technically advanced airplanes and supporting shared aircraft ownership.

We completed a five-year case study on the “Value of Shared Aircraft Ownership,” which was published in Cirrus Pilot Magazine, April 2020, Volume 15, Number 3, pages 50 – 58. Please let me know if you’d like a copy of the article and I’ll send one to you.

This year we’re researching cloud-based interactive aviator software to help pilots find, connect and share their passion for flying with like-minded aviators. We’ll post updates later in the year. Connecting Aviators® continues to be our Vision.

On approach RNAV 36 Tullahoma Regional Airport KTHA, photo credit wikiWings 2020
On approach RNAV 36 to Tullahoma Regional Airport KTHA, photo credit wikiWings 2020

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GA Economic Impact Factoid

According to the PricewaterhouseCoopers, report on GA economic impact, “At the national level, each direct job in general aviation supported 3.3 jobs elsewhere in the economy.” Nationwide 273,500 full and part-time workers were directly employed in general aviation in 2018. In total, GA’s direct employment supported 1.2 million jobs and $247 billion in economic output. About a 3.3 to 1 ratio.

Economic activities by pilots also have direct, indirect, induced and enabled impacts among related businesses in the economy. It’s an hypothesis that the related business to pilot ratio is similar to that found in the PWC report (3.3 to 1). Therefore, the number of related businesses to pilots would be greater than 1 to 1. There are 633,000 pilots registered with the FAA.

Reference: PricewaterhouseCoopers, “Contribution of General Aviation to the U.S. Economy in 2018,” GAMA’s State of the Industry Press Conference, February 19, 2020.

General Aviation Manufacturers Association Celebrates 50 Years (1970 – 2020)

In 1970, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association was formed to foster and advance the general welfare, safety, interests, and activities of general aviation. GAMA has grown to become a premier advocate for general aviation manufacturers, their suppliers, and businesses that maintain, repair and overhaul general aviation aircraft around the world.

GAMA’s annual report has become the industry resource for GA data. Over the next several weeks, we’ll share factoids excerpted from the 50th anniversary report.

Congratulations to GAMA for 50 years of service, support and contributions to general aviation community.

No Plane, No Gain

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA.aero) and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) have a joint undertaking to promote “No Plane No Gain,” which is a program designed to educate the public on the importance of business aviation to the United States and its communities, companies and citizens.  

In the U.S., business aviation generates well over a million jobs and $219 billion dollars in economic activity. It provides a lifeline to communities with little or no commercial airline service. Business airplanes can reach 5,000 airports but commercial airlines only serve 500 airports. Business planes help thousands of businesses of all sizes to be more productive and efficient and provides emergency and humanitarian services to people in need.

Learn more about the campaign by visiting the No Plane No Gain website. Business aviation – It’s working for America.