Aviation doesn’t deserve negative slant
The following is a Counterpoint:
By Bud Blower
I am concerned with the recent negative slant with which the media, and some on “the Hill,” are portraying business aviation. The Triad has been hard hit over recent years by the outsourcing and off-shoring of jobs. The furniture, textile and tobacco industries have all suffered severe losses. They had provided stable jobs that paid well to our region. These jobs will not come back.
Recently, our region has been fortunate enough to become home to a new industry that has real potential to replace these lost jobs: business aviation. Business aircraft manufacturer HondaJet has built its headquarters, its manufacturing plant and its research and development center in Greensboro. It also built its turbine engine facility in Burlington.
The Cessna Citation Service Center provides maintenance and support for business aircraft operators throughout the Southeast. Fixed-base operators Landmark Aviation and Atlantic Aero also provide a variety of business aviation support services.
The local media reported recently that a large business aircraft manufacturer has made Greensboro a finalist for a new aircraft completion center, citing the skilled work force that remains from furniture and textile industries. This center alone would provide an additional 800 good jobs.
Businesses of all sizes use aircraft as an effective tool to make their people more productive. Business aviation gets employees to thousands of communities and places the airlines just don’t serve.
Business aviation accounts for thousands of good jobs in our area, with the potential for many more. It is American workers in areas like Greensboro, Savannah, Ga., Wichita, Kan., Lakeland, Fla., and Little Rock, Ark., who really stand to benefit from a strong business aviation industry.
Business aviation benefits not only the business community, but the general public as well in the form of jobs and a stable tax base. Please support business aviation.
The writer lives in Jamestown.
Comments (8)
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One of my favorite topics, aviation.
I agree with you all the way Bud, business aviation and general aviation (you forgot to mention that) are very important to the economy and our transportation infrastructure.
The negative slant you are discussing is likely the planned purchase of a Dassault Falcon 7X jet by Citigroup after receiving taxpayer bailout money. That particular jet was a $50 million French made jet, so it wouldn't have helped our economy that much.
The PR and timing was horrible, perception of Citi buying a $50 million jet with bailout money. I'm not sure how long the timeframe is, but you don't just walk in, write a check for this kind of jet and take off with it. Citi likely ordered this aircraft well before the bottom fell out last fall. Doesn't matter, public perception trumps.
The HondaJet is part of a new category called Very Light Jets or VLJs. They hold less people, weigh less (hence their name, duh?) and typically cost between $1.5-$3 million, which is cheap by jet standards. This kind of jet doesn't raise the eyebrows of President Obama. Remember, his folks called Citi and told them to "fix it", and the order was promptly withdrawn.
Of course the Cessna Citation comes in many sizes and costs, including the Citation X for around $20 million. Still that's not even close to the Falcon 7X.
For those of you unfamiliar with the HondaJet that will be built right here in Greensboro, check it out, it's a cool little machine. It is very unique with it's top of the wing engine mount design.
http://hondajet.honda.com/default.aspx?bhcp=1
Posted on February 5, 2009 6:00 AM
. . . yeah don't get me pissed or I'll write a letter about the completely abscure lemming farming in Thomasville that is HIGHLY vital to the folks in Goldsboro . . . even tho that don't know we even exist . . . yeah buddy . . . watch it . . . my inks a flow'n . . .
Posted on February 5, 2009 9:21 AM
Aviation is one of the most misunderstood industries to the common American. But thanks to people like Bud and Dan, Americans are getting a inside look into the world of both general and commercial aviation.
Aviation is vital for commerce and a source of careers for thousands of Americans. True the use of tax bailout money for company like Citigroup to buy a aircraft is stupid, however, it doesn't need to put a negative slant on all of aviation. Greensboro is lucky to be home to several aviation companies that provide hundreds of jobs and money for the city.
As for J Peterman, your comment made no sense, even after I read it several times. I would recommend that you educate yourself about aviation before you make any comments about it, assuming you were commenting about aviation.
As for me i have been around aviation for the last 5 years of my life and working in it for the last year. Aviation will continue to grow and we are lucky to live in a city that welcomes aviation with open arms.
Posted on February 5, 2009 2:44 PM
. . . it's all about the cause . . . if you and your four friends packed up and left . . . because you got mad about the "negative slant" . . . would anyone miss you? no . . .
. . . so on with the lemmings and thier plights . . . who cares, over paid butt gas . . .
Posted on February 5, 2009 4:21 PM
Welcome aboard redbaron. You are correct, aviation is widely misunderstood.
Glad to see you have a career in aviation, is can be a secure job as most of it cannot be outsourced to foreign countries.
Aviation also gives back to the community. Two very popular programs are Angel Flight and Young Eagles.
With Angel Flight, pilots donate their time and aircraft to transport people in need of medical treatment away from home.
http://www.angelflight.com/
Young Eagles specializes in introducing youth, many disadvantaged economically to the joy of flight.
http://www.youngeagles.org/
Best of luck with your aviation career. I love anything and everything about aviation.
PS, as to figuring out JPRT, his comments never make any sense. Don't bother trying.
Posted on February 5, 2009 6:43 PM
This is a comment for JPRT. As an American you have the right to free speech but please say some thing that we all can understand.
Also you do not have the right to make rude and disrespectful comments about people. For example what you said about "me and my four friends" and I quote " if you and your four friends packed up and left . . . because you got mad about the "negative slant" . . . would anyone miss you? no . ." you might not miss us but that is not your place to say.
I don't agree with every one or what they say but I do keep a open mind and always respect what other people say. If you don't agree use intelligent conversation to make your point not rude speech and ignorant thought.
Posted on February 5, 2009 9:54 PM
Take my prior advice redbaron, you are treading water trying to make sense of JPRT. Forget it.
Posted on February 5, 2009 10:26 PM
10-4 that Dan . . . it's lonely out here in space . . . but that space is all mine.
Red . . . Woodstock was looking for you . . . and he said to tell you . . . free speech rules and find another cause to whine about . . .
Posted on February 6, 2009 8:44 AM