Tough times indeed. Let's go flying.

The reports are on the wires today. Big layoffs are expected to be announced at both Cirrus and Cessna. While hard numbers aren't yet available, the only number that really matters is "one." That's the one that matters to the people who get the pink slip. Their job is gone and their life has changed. And don't think the people who have to make these decisions don't know that. I know these guys, and I know how they feel about the people who work for them. It's a company, but in we're a small industry, and for many of these folks, the people they work with are family. It's gut wrenching stuff.

At the same time there's no doubt that layoffs are absolutely necessary right now. It's a question not of "if" but of "how many." And I expect the numbers to be shocking. In a contraction like this, the goal for many aviation firms is to keep the company around long enough for there to jobs for their workers to come back to. In this perfect storm economy, just when that happens is anybody's guess.

In the mean time, there's going to be a lot of negative trickle down from airframers cutting production drastically. Their suppliers, the people who build the engines and avionics and wires and wheels and brakes and props and, well, you get the idea, are going to be feeling the pain soon too, if they haven't already.

It's hard to project an air of confidence at a time like this, but at the same time, it's absolutely crucial to do just that. The products that are being produced these days are the best that have ever been made. We're making real inroads in safety, and, macro economic concerns aside, as a personal transportation tool, the airplane has never been more appealing.

This is all to say that when recovery comes, and let's all hope it comes soon, the market is shape to rebound nicely. 

In the mean time, let's go flying.

Comments

[Bill]

Flying and others have been too willing to go along with all the expensive new products. Yes GPS is about the best thing ever, but the cost of monthly fees/subscriptions and all has made the costs go up too much. I even gave up flying lessons because all of a sudden the rental fee went way up because I had to rent a Garmin equipped C-172 for my training. So a lot of people went in over their heads with fancy stuff, and now with gas going up the combination of costs is helping kill general aviation. Mix in an FAA that seems intent on speeding up that death and the problem is compounded.

Not helping that Flying writers seem to be against light sport either, that would put more people in the sky, and make for a louder voice in support.

Long as I'm on it, why would Cirrus keep Patty Wagstaff as a demo pilot after a DUI conviction? Not a good idea for the public to hear that one.

[Gary Bradshaw]

While I don't have exact figures a huge vast majority of people laid off would never have become pilots.

And while 2-3 million people did get laid off in 2008 that still leaves what almost a hundred million STILL working?

In the last 45 days, we at PilotJourney.com have had a 35% INCREASE in the number of people interested in learning to fly.

General Aviation STILL has the same problem it has always had - it waits for consumers to "fall" in the door and sign-up. Until we fix that we will continue to THINK things will follow what happens to mass marketers, when we are NOT mass marketers.

Gary Bradshaw
President
PilotJourney.com

[Robert E. Lee]

I have to agree with the article on the expense associated with the electronic cockpit, Garmin 1000, etc. The maintenance/update cost has gotten out of hand. The update dates and modifications are not that significant and yet the companies are asking thousands. Also the companies are asking more for the updates for the software along with XM radio for weather and while one can not get classical music. With the additional cost for the electronic system and the cost of gas, many of us will be parking and flying commercial or looking for a sucker to buy our modern electronic cockpit aircraft.

[Eric Schaffer]

I agreethe cost is going through the roof. Still being a student I'm not sure I can fly enough after getting my cert that I can stay safe. As fuel cost goes up my time goes down. In the past year I have seen the cost go up 25% which will reduce my flying by 25%. And try to buy a plane, I've looked at several all in the same price range after you bring them up to bare standards you have twice what there worth. Example: I was looking at a 172 in the $30,000 range, this is a flying plane that is being used on a regular basis. It's engine is at TBO. Both radios need work, the transponder goes out so that needs work, the paint is about a 4 and the interior is a 4 at best. After I buy the plane I need to put $20,000 + in to the plane so I end up with a $50,000 + investment into a $30,000 plane (Blue book. Why learn to fly if I can't aford to fly later?

[Jeff Casto]

I've just read several of the recent posts, and they all have the common thread of the high cost of recreational flying and the fact that it keeps getting higher. I've always wanted to fly, but the cost has always kept me out. Until, that is, I looked into flying gliders. Once I learned that gliders can fly hundreds of miles and stay up for hours, and that the cost was a LOT less, I quickly joined the nearest soaring club and have been having the time of my life.

Some of you might want to look into it, as well. One note, though. Joining a club is usually much cheaper than taking lessons at a commercial soaring operation. At my club, instructors donate their time, so instruction is free. The cost of a tow to 3000 AGL is $40, and rental of a two-place trainer is $24. That's $64/hr for lessons. Renting one of the club's single-place PW-5 sailplanes is $16, and in the summertime, you can easily find lift so that you only need a tow to 2000 AGL ($30). That runs you a whopping $46 for the first hour, and $16/hr for every hour after that (assuming you find sources of lift).

Airworthy used sailplanes can be purchased for as little as $7500.

If you want to fly but are on a tight budget, give soaring a try.