People are mad.
We relied on airlines for travel.
And they let us down.
Not United or Delta or American, but rather the concept. Many people crammed together in a close quarters cabin may never again be the norm.
Within hours, innocent airliners piloted by human hosts can unknowingly deposit disease across the world.
The benefit of hindsight now knowing the extent of economic cost and also realizing my own liabilities in this disaster has me come to question if corporations, businesses or even individuals will ever again take the gamble on world travel.
I sincerely hope so. We need world travel. Economies around the world depend on it. I depended on it. Flying is a part of who we have become as a species.
Is it time we contemplate taking matters into our own hands?
Flying in itself isn’t inherently hard. You go up and down, left and right. Yes it’s an effort to learn the regulations and the finer points of aerodynamics but essentially it doesn’t take much more skills than driving a car. Flying is safer statistically. Of course, aircraft are unique and have specific operational requirements, but so does any Mercedes or Tesla. And no more expensive either.
All the money airlines have ever saved us has been lost these last two months. Flying the airlines have never saved us ANY time with long lines, delays, security screening, waking up at 4am to be on time for a 9am flight.
What new security screening will be involved?
What is your time worth to make the meeting in Kansas City and be back in Tampa for the kid’s big game same evening.
A private pilot certificate can open the entire country to some. Bigger aircraft can open the world. Perhaps it’s time we reflect and recognize the heyday of aviation and how easy it was for everyone to fly. Flying yourself, your own family, on your own terms.
Aviation has changed forever. This great country was built to fly and that’s a good thing because the next golden age of aviation has just begun.
FLY.
Bill Boege
Propellerhead Aviation, Inc