COMMON CAUSE

Shout From The Rooftops: Oshkosh

If ever there was a general aviation crown jewel, it has to be the annual AirVenture show in Oshkosh.  Among other things, it is the premier showcase and marketing opportunity for all of general aviation to make its case to the non-pilot population, in an attempt to interest, recruit, and support those folks interested in becoming pilots.  We, the entire flying community, need to make the most of this celebration.  We must identify and implement a new suite of marketing ideas and actions to bring America to Oshkosh this year so we can introduce ourselves, display our flying machines, and convince each person that he or she, too, can be a pilot if they want.  We welcome them with open arms.

And so we must not only advertise the event in aviation media, but WE MUST GO FURTHER, and invest in our future by advertising in the NON-AVIATION publications and media, inviting all to give us a look, and let us answer their many questions.  In addition, we must use good old marketing tactics to entice the reluctant, invite the interested, and fully inform the skeptics and the media.  This approach should be two-fold: first, make every effort to get our new student pilots to the show via special deals to fire up their enthusiasm; and, two, to give the flight school community a forum to showcase their training programs to non-pilots and student pilots.  Additional enticements to get us everyday pilots to attend will likewise generate payoffs, since attendance this year is likely to be impacted by the high cost of avgas.

So here is a humble selection of proposed ideas:
a. EAA and AOPA should advertise AirVenture 2008 in the top 100 city       newspapers, and advertise the event in the top ten national magazines       with full color advertisements: America needs to come to Oshkosh this year;
b. EAA and AOPA could offer every student pilot a free one day pass to AirVenture 2008;
c. EAA could give every student pilot who has a college ID card two free days at AirVenture 2008; they still have to get themselves there and eat;
d. EAA could conduct a raffle for a ride on SpaceShip Two, much like it conducts a raffle now for a giveaway plane at AirVenture;
e. AOPA should advertise its June Open House in Frederick, MD to all non-pilots using the local newspapers and regional TV channels;
f. Sporty’s Pilot Shop, during their weekly free Saturday hot dog lunch at I69, could offer a free one day pass to AirVenture 2008 for those who fly in and buy avgas;
g. King Schools and Sporty’s could raffle off a free Sport Pilot or Private Pilot course every week via the web to non-pilots; “Introduction to Flying” and “Getting Started” DVDs could be sold for one dollar, or distributed free to all women;
h. King Schools, ASA, and American Flyers could offer a free one day pass to AirVenture 2008 for every pilot course purchased;
i. For every non-pilot attendee at AirVenture 2008, EAA should give away a free Sporty’s “Introduction to Flying” or “Getting Started” DVD.
j. And oh by the way, have you seen the EAA DVD “Oshkosh, The Spirit of Aviation”?  It is beautiful; it made me cry, and EAA should cut one hundred million copies, and send it to every adult in America TODAY.  It should be a Sunday newspaper insert and attached to every magazine on your newsstand, and given away to every airline passenger when they check in.

So what are your ideas?  Where are they?  Have you taken the time to call EAA or AOPA and suggest these kinds of ideas for implementation?  Time is short; most of the event planning has been accomplished, but it’s not too late for action.  And ACTION is desperately needed NOW.  At least call Sporty’s, ask for Hal, and talk about some new ideas.  Call John and Martha at King Schools and push your ideas out into the open for discussion and consideration.  TIME IS SHORT.  TAKE ACTION.  Pick up the phone, or hit the keyboard, but PLEASE take some positive action, and be part of the solution to the current pilot shortage.

Common Cause – We all have a stake in the outcome.  With some innovative approaches to advertising AirVenture 2008, and reaching out to the general public to advocate flying as an exciting recreational pursuit, the results can be an economic win-win for the entire GA community: the vendors sell more services and products, the national organizations gain more members, and there are more buyers for aircraft and avionics.  What more will it take to get you to care?  Where are your ideas?  Let’s hear them!

Mike Sullivan COM SMEL, CFI, EAA & AOPA
Msull77554@aol.com  KHEF, C177RG