Volume 27, No. 12 – December 2010
This issue of Flight Lines features President Walt Barbo’s message on the high cost of flying and its impact on general aviation participation, noting that an estimated 80% of flight students quit before earning their certificate, while the active pilot population has declined from 827,000 in 1980 to just over 600,000. The newsletter introduces new committee chairs including Darci Wert (Education), Megan Sayre (Safety), Bob Kinney (Flyins), and Jerry Kelly (Membership), who will help drive engagement and recruitment efforts. The issue also highlights the upcoming 2011 fly-in planning meeting and upcoming content about aircraft value maintenance and member awards.
Significant topics include challenges facing general aviation economics, organizational leadership transitions, and community-building initiatives. The newsletter emphasizes volunteering opportunities and announces special recognition for the centennial of women pilots in 2011.
Key Topics
- High costs of flight training ($8,000-$12,000 for private license; $100k+ for ATP) and aircraft ownership
- Declining pilot population and high dropout rates among flight students
- New committee chair appointments and leadership transitions
- Social media expansion (Facebook) and member communication
- Centennial of Women Pilots (100th anniversary in 2011)
- General aviation economic recovery
Events & Activities
- 2011 Fly-In Planning Meeting – January 29, 2011, 8:30 a.m. continental breakfast, 9:00 a.m. meeting start at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (BJC) Mt. Evans Room; call for fly-in proposals and volunteer sponsors
- Centennial of Women Pilots celebration throughout 2011
Member News
- Welcome to new committee chairs: Darci Wert (Education), Megan Sayre (Safety – incoming FAA Safety Counselor with newborn student pilot expected), Bob Kinney (Flyins), and Jerry Kelly (Membership)
- Brian Garrett appointed Social Media Guru for Facebook management
- Member story: Bill Bredar recounts a 1959 emergency med-evac involving a hunting accident (article continued)
