Aviation Organizations

For this post I will just assume that I will be a civilian pilot in the future. The two organizations that I think would have the biggest impact on my flying career are the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association (AOPA).

Just one look at ALPA's website (Issues) reveals that not only are the passionate about the welfare of their members but that they are knowledgeable about the issues at hand. For example they have detailed analyses of the Gulf States airline funding which we previously discussed (See Hostile Takeover), the recent crash of the Germanwings flight in France, and the FAA's handling of UAV regulation. All vary recent and complicated subjects. I would be impressed if just one had been highlighted. According to their website ALPA is the largest pilot union in the world and has existed since 1931. They have the expertise and prestige to get real results out of airlines and the Washington bureaucracy. When the new crew rest regulations came out following the Colagan crash ALPA released helpful information to explain the new regs to their members. (FastRead) ALPA even campaigns for lesser known issues such as the Federl Flight Deck Officer Program that gives Air Marshal training to pilots that volunteer for it. (Recommendations) ALPA is committed to professionalism and safety.

The AOPA also maintains a powerful lobby in D.C.(Mission) Their efforts have long kept the dreaded user fees out of the U.S. while they have abounded in most other industrialized nations, strangling general aviation. While most have heard of AOPA's sway in Washington many have not heard of the other services they provide to their members. A member can get insurance and financing from AOPA. They can use AOPA aviation lawyers in the event of a certificate action by the FAA or other legal issues. The also offer pre-flight services and chances for training and fly-ins. (Membership) AOPA Pilot & Flight Training (Table) magazine are some of the best aviation magazines I have read. Each issue has useful tips and advice that make people better pilots without having to go through a formal lesson with much of the information coming directly from the FAR/AIM. AOPA understands their role and they perform exceedingly well at it. There is a reason that they are the largest GA association.

References

ALPA On the Issues. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.alpa.org/Issues/tabid/3456/Default.asp

ALPA, Intl. FastRead. (2011, December 23). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.alpa.org/portals/alpa/fastread/2011/FastReadNewsflash_20111223.htm

Recommendations to Improve the Federal Flight Deck Officer Program. (2012, February 1). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.alpa.org/portals/alpa/pressroom/inthecockpit/FFDOWP_2-27-2012.pdf

Mission and History of AOPA. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.aopa.org/About-AOPA/Governance/Mission-and-History-of-AOPA

Membership Benefits. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://www.aopa.org/Membership/Membership-Benefi

Table of Contents. (n.d.). Retrieved April 14, 2015, from http://flighttraining.aopa.org/

The Business of Aviation

Anything involving aircraft quickly becomes an expensive prospect. Even things like fuel sumps or wooden chocks cost way more than they would in a different context. There is a reason that flying is and was considered the realm of the wealthy, because they are the only ones who can really afford it. Aviation is one of the greatest luxuries in existence. Aviation has been one of the main catalysts for globalization by making the world smaller. It is the means for near instantaneous transportation across vast distances. I myself have taken my "Slow" Cessna Skyhawk from the Northern border of the Continental U.S. to the southern in 10 hours! The process of which truly bends your mind. I remember thinking "Is my nation really that small?" That trip is still the largest expense I have ever paid.

Aviation is so expensive because no one really needs to fly. If you want to learn to be a professional pilot at a university you will be paying North of six figures, it won't matter where you go. All the airlines lost a lot of money during the recession and after 9/11 because people suddenly thought "I think Ill drive instead." There is literally and figuratively a lot of overhead in aviation businesses. As an airline you are only ever one accident away from losing the public's trust and business. Profits come and go on the cost of fuel and the rates of competitors. There are many more industries that are more profitable, but many in aviation (Pilot or otherwise) are in it for the love of flying. I doubt most financial advisers would tell you to base your decisions off of your heart and not the dollars and cents.

References

Chocks.com. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from https://www.chocks.com/list/aircraft

Luxury Insider - The Online Luxury Magazine. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from http://www.luxury-insider.com/channels/aviation

Climbing through the clouds. (2011, July 7). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from http://www.economist.com/node/18926285

FAPA.aero | Flight Training Schools Comparison. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from http://fapa.aero/aviationcolleges.asp

Why airlines make such meagre profits. (2014, February 23). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from http://www.economist.com/blogs/economist-explains/2014/02/economist-explains-5

The 10 Most Profitable Industries According To Big Data. (n.d.). Retrieved April 1, 2015, from http://www.forbes.com/sites/frankbi/2014/11/18/the-10-most-profitable-industries-according-to-big-data/