Topic 1
Whenever I mention the word “experimental” in association with, or describing aircraft, non-aircraft type people always make some remark about how I must be a daredevil or a crazy.
Now, I know this is nothing new. I have heard this sort of story before. But I am wondering if this is just bad marketing for our way of life? Is there a better way for us to introduce our interest to people not familiar with experimental aircraft?.
I think the work experimental is appropriate. In Canada our regulations call it Amateur Built Aircraft, and I feel either phrase to the general public is interchangeable.
Those who are not associated with the industry are generally ignorant to facts about general aviation and experimental/amateur built aircraft. Regardless how we plan on marketing our way of life, people will still be ignorant. I think the only way to introduce and interest people not familiar with our category of aircraft is to act as professionals held to a high standard; which we are. Eliminate the opportunity for someone to call you crazy, or a cowboy for building an aircraft. Educate them on the technical details, how structural limitations go above and beyond certified aircraft, how we are held to the same standard of safety.
I think that no matter how you slice it, those who know nothing about aviation will still find experimental aircraft inherently "crazy".
Topic 2
My other worry is that I am considered a young pilot at most of the gatherings, and I am “middle aged”. Where are all the 16-20yr olds? The only ones I know of have always had planes in their life. (father, mother, uncle, etc)
Why are airports disappearing? How do we increase interest? Is there some sort of soft introduction that we are not doing? (ex. Restaurant on field open to the public that has radio on each table. Or how about plane themed playgrounds on field?) This whole TSA thing and cordoning off the areas around airports is not helping the issue.
I know about young eagles and the civil air patrol, but what else are we doing?
Is there a better word than experimental (craftsmanship vs. mass production sort of thing)?
Are aircraft just too dam expensive to live on? ($100K LSA’s are not the answer)
Thoughts anyone???
We, the "young pilots", are out there. I have been flying since I was 16, and was a Commercial pilot by 18. Now, I'm 21 year old with a CPL, Aerial Applicators License, Float Endorsed, Canadian and New Zealand Glider Instructor and building an RV-8. No one in my family is a pilot or was associated with aviation in the past.
To answer what are we doing/what can we do? I am an Officer in the Canadian Forces and work with our local Air Cadet Squadron. I volunteer my time and teach ground school to help these kids work towards obtaining their Glider and Power Scholarships. I work at an Air Cadet gliding centre that fly's kids from 12-18. We do over 50 000 familiarization flights each year in Central Canada alone! I fundraise money to fly the local Air Cadets for local power familiarization flights.
So what can we/you do? Get involved with the Royal Canadian Air Cadet Organisation. Get involved with the Civil Air Patrol. Get involved with the New Zealand Air Training Corp. Find up the local gliding centre and organised a youth flying camp with reduced rates.
When I was 12, my local flight training unit held a "Top Gun" Flight Camp. One week long, 4 hours of flight time, get your radio operators certificate, build model planes, have a flying competition....tons of stuff that kids would enjoy. Go to your local Flight Training Unit and organise something like this.
Each year I help organised the Canadian Junior Soaring Camp hosted by SOSA Gliding Club in Rockton, Ontario. 2010 Will be our 7th Annual Camp for junior pilots (16-26). I have been helping organize this camp for the past 5 years now. We get sponsorship for reduce rate flying for youth at the gliding club. The Gliding club has reduced rate block times, and reduced rate membership fees for youth, and still maintains access to all club equipment. We have young pilots from all around Canada attend this flying camp!
I guess the main concept here is to be open minded. If nothing is in place for junior pilots, then get involved and start brainstorming!
Now for the cold hard and bitter truth. Where the real problem is; The cost of aviation. A dual flight in a C172 now-a-days can range +/- $190CND/hr plus tax! In order to cover this cost a kid has to work part time during school for a full week just for one hour. All while paying for rediculous car insurance rates, fuel, any loans, tuition, books, living expenses in general etc. It is hands down more difficult for youth to budget aviation into their life than an adult with the opportunity for full time employment.
This is why funding for events, EAA Young Eagles, COPA scholarships, West Jest Scholarships, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Canadian Junior Soaring Camps all have to be available at rates affordable for youth of today.