Barriers to Entry - Wild Blue - Used Airplane Sales and Acquisitions, Piston and Jet Aircraft Broker and Dealer.

Barriers to Entry

By Marc Dickensheets

I was awestruck yesterday at the differences between General Aviation airports. As pilots we have a certain level of comfort around airplanes. At my local General Aviation airport I can walk around the ramp freely, talk to other pilots, admire their airplanes and dream about the possibilities of flight. But there is a stark contrast as one moves from one GA airport to another.

Just the other day I went to a shiny new FBO at our local downtown airport to meet a fellow pilot. He wanted to talk about the possibility of WildBlue selling his airplane. While waiting for him in the glitzy reception area, this facility's employees met me with suspicion, hostility and fences. Even as a pilot I was denied access to the ramp to look at an airplane. It was as if a stone wall was placed in front of me -- an odd feeling after having a completely different experience at the other airport. Security is important. We all understand that. But isn't there a better way to incorporate security without driving a wedge between our daily operations and the people we need to welcome into GA? This facility didn't know whether I was a visitor or a potential client, yet they treated me as an unwelcome outsider. Would someone wanting to make it inside GA want to come back after such an experience? Sadly, I can't help but believe this experience happens dozens of times each day across the country. If we are to share the dream of flight with others, what physical structures or perceived barriers can we alter to provide an inviting atmosphere to those who would be the pilots of tomorrow? Can children have a safe place to play in the presence of airplanes to foster their dreams and imagination?

After a while of feeling like an outsider I saw the friendly face of a fellow pilot I know at the other GA airport. We spoke briefly and he invited me in to go see the beautiful business jet he was working on. Thankfully, he salvaged the situation. I can't help but wonder however, if I truly were an outsider, would I be willing to repeat that experience to further my aviation dreams?

GAWins!