March 1989 Flight Lines Summary: President Walt Barbo discusses the slight upturn in general aviation aircraft shipments in 1988 (1,100 units versus 1,085 in 1987), marking the first gain in nine years. However, new aircraft prices exceeding $130,000 continue to challenge the market. Barbo highlights both opportunities and challenges facing Denver-area pilots and aircraft owners, noting that while improved airport services and competitive pricing benefit owners, airport operators face serious financial pressures from excess capacity and relatively fixed costs amid the ongoing downturn in general aviation.
Key Topics
- General aviation aircraft shipment trends and industry recovery prospects
- Aircraft pricing and market challenges
- Airport services and maintenance improvements in the Denver area
- Financial pressures on airport operators
- Hangar fees, tiedown costs, and FBO maintenance pricing
- Excess airport capacity and infrastructure challenges
Events & Activities
- March 18: CPA Dinner Meeting, Park Hill Golf Course Clubhouse, 3500 Colorado Blvd., Denver. Speaker: Grace Hayfield, former WASP pilot. Social hour 6:00 p.m., dinner 7:00 p.m.
- March 25: Easter Food Lift from Front Range Airport, sponsored by Alpha Eta Rho Fraternity
- April 11: Legislative Coffee, 7:00-9:00 a.m., State Capital Rotunda
- April 21: Safety Symposium, Metro State College, 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Theme: Physiology of Flight
- April 29: Fly-In Brunch
- May 18: Monthly Program Meeting, Centennial Airport, 7:30 p.m.
- June 9-11: Mountain Flying Clinic, Front Range Airport
- July 15: 13th Annual CPA Denver-to-Jackpot Air Classic, departing Front Range Airport to Cactus Pete’s Casino, Jackpot, Nevada
- July 16-17: Post Jackpot Air Tour
- August 19: Flight Proficiency Contest and Progressive Dinner, Front Range Airport
- August 25-27: Wings Proficiency Program, Pueblo, Colorado
- September 2-4: CPA Labor Day Fly-In, Southwest Colorado (Ouray via Montrose)
- September 15-17: Wings Proficiency Program, Pagosa Springs, Colorado
- September 23: Air Force Academy Tour
- October 7: CPA Aircraft Maintenance Seminar, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., training on Beech Bonanzas
- October 21: CPA Annual Meeting
- November 11: Tour of Air Traffic Facilities
- December 9: CPA Christmas Dinner
