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Issue link: http://airportbusiness.epubxp.com/i/140389
INDUSTRYINSIDER C raig Fuller remembers the exact day he was bitten by the aviation bug. He was 14 years old and on vacation with his family in Oregon when he saw a sign advertising seaplane rides for $5. He begged his father to take him, and he did. He says, "I remember the sensation to this day of getting perspective from the air for the very first time." That plane ride put him on a path toward a career in aviation that began with flying lessons on a Cessna 150 when he was 16, and eventually led him to take the helm of the country's No. 1 pilot organization—the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). As the organization's president for the last five years, Fuller has tapped into his own varied background that spans senior public affairs positions in business, association leadership, and executive positions in the federal government, including eight years of service in the White House from 1981 to 1989, to lead the AOPA and position it for the future. Fuller recently shared his perspective on the state of general aviation—talking everything from user fees to pilot shortages—with Airport Business. 600,000. It's going to take us some time to build those numbers back up. We have to attack the problem in several different places if we want to be successful. We learned a few years ago that 80 percent [of students] drop out before they complete their training to become a certified private pilot. Our research shows there are approximately 47 identifiable factors that go into creating a successful flight training experience. Some flight schools graduate many or almost all of their students, and others graduate almost none. In light of that, we decided to share our research with current and future student pilots, flight instructors and flight schools. As part of that effort, we launched an awards How have general aviation's general aviation. challenges evolved over the The FAA recently reported years? there were 41 percent fewer Since AOPA's founding in 1939, its pilot certificates issued in foremost purpose has been to advothe last decade. What can cate on behalf of general aviation be done to increase the pilot pilots to the federal, state and local population? government. In 1939, with World It's taken us a long time to fall from War II approaching, there was a approximately 800,000 pilots to fear that federal government might regulate or tax general aviation away. Nearly 75 years later, that mission is still very much the same. One of the most important things we've done in the last five years has been to help build the general aviaThe solution is simple. tion caucus both in the U.S. House of Representatives The Air Pear destratification fan system and in the U.S. Senate. from Airius quickly equalizes temperature The Congressmen who are throughout any hangar. members of the caucus have • Recovery time to re-heat a hangar, been great supporters of especially as doors are opened and ON PILOT SHORTAGE "It's taken us a long time to fall from approximately 800,000 pilots to 600,000. It's going to take us some time to build those numbers back up." ON 100 LL "The threat to Avgas, 100 Low Lead, by environmental groups, is a policy matter we can do something about." Leaky, high-bay hangars a heating headache? closed frequently, is greatly reduced. • Maintenance crew is more comfortable. • Reduced HVAC run time can yield savings up to 35%. • Fast ROI for energy-saving sustainable design. Airius is the world standard for destratification systems in both civilian and military aircraft facilities. Recent Airius installation (Air Pear fans circled) in corporate jet hangar. Call Us: 303.772.2633 1.888.AIR.PEAR (1.888.247.7327) www.theairpear.com • info@theairpear.com www.aviationpros.com/10689118 June/July 2013 airportbusiness 31