QFF
13th Apr 2009, 14:49
See Alan Klapmeier (ex-Cirrus CEO) speaking at a lunch meeting in the USA here (http://video.realviewtv.com/aviation/aeroclub_alan_klapmeier_cirrus/) - long video 68mins - but makes interesting viewing.
In between expounding the entrepreneural virtues of the Cirrus range (including discussing the controversial new Cirrus Jet), Klapmeier makes some interesting observations about the state of GA, as well as his views on the US economy.
I suspect he is right in that we desperately need an injection of "new blood" to ensure the survival of GA - although he is probably speaking from the view of selling more aircraft and justifying the bells and whistles and FIKI on the newer Cirri - by saying that today folk are expecting leather trim and BMW-like styling with glass cockpits rather than vinyl, royalite and steam gauges.
He makes the point that our ageing fleet of Cessna trainers is hardly confidence inspiring to Joe Blow from off the street who pops in for their trial flying lesson/scenic flight.
Instead of demonstrating a stall and stomach churning aerobatics on their very first flight, perhaps we need to be "selling" GA more. Perhaps as an alternative means of convenient transportation, especially the strong business case for the travelling executive (although I suspect this is particularly true in the USA, with the generous tax implications with respect to aircraft ownership).
Having overtaken Cessna in recent years as the top selling new GA aircraft, Klapmeier must have got something right.
In between expounding the entrepreneural virtues of the Cirrus range (including discussing the controversial new Cirrus Jet), Klapmeier makes some interesting observations about the state of GA, as well as his views on the US economy.
I suspect he is right in that we desperately need an injection of "new blood" to ensure the survival of GA - although he is probably speaking from the view of selling more aircraft and justifying the bells and whistles and FIKI on the newer Cirri - by saying that today folk are expecting leather trim and BMW-like styling with glass cockpits rather than vinyl, royalite and steam gauges.
He makes the point that our ageing fleet of Cessna trainers is hardly confidence inspiring to Joe Blow from off the street who pops in for their trial flying lesson/scenic flight.
Instead of demonstrating a stall and stomach churning aerobatics on their very first flight, perhaps we need to be "selling" GA more. Perhaps as an alternative means of convenient transportation, especially the strong business case for the travelling executive (although I suspect this is particularly true in the USA, with the generous tax implications with respect to aircraft ownership).
Having overtaken Cessna in recent years as the top selling new GA aircraft, Klapmeier must have got something right.