by Thomas J. Nagorski

The activity at an airport is similar to a television production. While the public forms opinions on aviation from viewing carefully orchestrated airline activities, those working behind the scenes know the reality of perspective. Glitz, glamour, security checks, and big airport ways has little to do with the thriving life of general aviation (GA). You have to look behind the screen to get the full picture.

Hours before most office folks awake, the gaggle of little tail-draggers depart. Flown by men more game stalkers than pilots, this is where wildlife policy is implemented. Wolf relocations, buffalo tracking, and grizzly bear counts have all succeeded because of biologists and pilots in little GA airplanes.

You can thank the observer in the fire patrol aircraft for quickly identifying hot spots threatening the forests blanketing the hillsides. The Hot Shot team of smoke jumpers also arrived by small aircraft, provided the burn couldn't be contained by bucket-hauling helicopters.

When your package absolutely, positively, has to be there overnight, it gets there thanks to general aviation. A flock of freighters descend on the field in the early morn to disgorge their belly of treasures. Some crews have a leisurely day until they take their stuffed birds back to base in the evening. Others do a quick turn and dash across the state to meet other pickups and deliveries, other deadlines and promises to keep. When in the aircraft, these pilots are all business -- no wasted move or effort. Flight paths are straight line, communications are crisp, and aircraft flown beautifully, commanded by masters intimate with their equipment.

The freight dogs don't get in the way of the aerial applicators, or "crop dusters" as most people call them. These sprayers spend their life at tree top levels helping Montana agriculture feed the world. They work when the weather is best; early morning or late evening. By breakfast time they've already seen half the county. Time is money and they need to work fast to get their load on the crops before the rising sun tickles the surface winds into play.

By now the company flyers are active. Everyone equates business flying with big money and fast jets. But there are thousands of small business owners using single engine aircraft to advance their companies. Car dealers shuttling between auctions. Farmers retrieving desperately needed parts. Salesmen maintaining a quality of life by covering the fourth largest state and still making it home for baby's birthday. Even down-to-earth bronc busters use private aircraft to get to widely-spaced rodeos. Architects. Lawyers. Manufacturers. To them, an aircraft is no extravagance. It is a tool which earns them profits, which pays the bills and keeps payroll checks from bouncing. The value of that aircraft may be in the contract won which permits the hiring of a few more employees.

Students come and go throughout the day. Their motivation runs the from those fulfilling lifelong dreams, to those aspiring to airline employment. Higher education is championed until it involves something fun. Flight training is far from frivolous. The habits learned here last a lifetime. Good instructors are hard to find, and securing one may invigorate a pilot to advance into larger aircraft and greater ratings. Their training dollars stay at home and get recirculated throughout the community.

The rundown of unseen activities at the field boggle the mind: Guest ranch visitors arriving by personal aircraft; a cancer patient being transported for treatments by a part-time angel of mercy; leaders of industry forming strategies on the ramp while bizjets refuel; soaring enthusiasts drooling over the latest eastern-block import; the helicopter dashing off for another television commercial shoot; aerobatic aircraft returning from practice.

The impact of general aviation on the local economy is significant. One transient aircraft carrying a couple on an overnight stop may generate revenues from aviation fuel, hangar, rental car, gasoline, motel, restaurant, drinks, books, souvenirs, telephones, film, batteries, entertainment, gambling, clothing, vending sales, pilot supplies, instructor services, maintenance, waste management, and tips.

GA is more than little airplanes. It describes the vast majority of all flying activity. Before there was commercial airline travel there was general aviation. Private vehicles advanced the modern highway system; private airplanes established most of our landing sites. Any government initiative which makes general aviation less accessible -- regardless of how well intentioned -- hurts the industry and the economy. Everyone on the GA ramp knows the brutal truth: when people stop flying sales drop off and paychecks cease.

General aviation is people doing what they do best - going through life utilizing specific talents to better themselves intellectually and financially, and in the process helping the community as a whole. It's what makes the world go 'round.

 

Happy (con)trails. See you upstairs --

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