Expert Opinion
AIN Blog: GA Often Ignored by Study Panels

I often get the feeling that general aviation is the red-headed stepchild in government’s view of the aerospace industry. With apologies to the late Rodney Dangerfield, GA seems to get no respect from the federal government. There have been three comprehensive studies on aviation in the past quarter century, and a few others on narrower topics. General aviation is usually relegated to an afterthought, if thought of at all.

President Bill Clinton was barely in office when the National Commission To Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry was created in 1993. By its very name, it was clear that GA would not be a player, even though it is the spawning ground of nearly all pilots. The lone GA member was Cessna’s Russ Meyer.