“Into the Wild Blue," published monthly in Fly KC, focuses on issues of particular importance to current or would-be aircraft owners.  This month Chris is taking a look at some of the myths that have evolved about owning an airplane.

Fence Watchers & Ramp Rats

General Aviation, “GA”, is an interesting industry.  On one hand it pumps billions of dollars into our economy and employs hundreds of thousands of Americans.  On the other hand it is a destination industry, meaning that for whatever reason (pleasure, fascination, enthusiasm, etc.) people want to be involved in GA.  Because GA encompasses many facets of non-commercial aviation differences in personality, aircraft, and airports, can be confusing.   

Enter the fence watcher.  This species – possibly unique to GA – can be found at most local airports absorbing the sights and sounds of manned flight.  They come from all backgrounds and share at least one common bond – the love of aviation.  Many have had dreams of being involved in aviation for most of their lives.  Others are there to help foster this dream for someone else – maybe a child, or grandchild, or spouse.  Fence watchers are so named because they often don’t know how to take the needed steps to get inside an airport fence.  You may be a fence watcher.  If so, we want you inside aviation.  We want you inside the fence.

Don’t know where to start?  Don’t know how to get involved or who to ask? 

There are loads of folks out there that would love to help.  They would be thrilled to guide and mentor you.    If you’re the fence watcher I’m talking about, may I suggest you do just one thing? 

Ask.  Ask someone, anyone, where you should begin.  And if they can’t provide you the answer you’re looking for, ask someone else.  Keep asking until you find someone that can point you in the right direction.  There are dozens of resources available to help you.  The Aircraft Owner’s and Pilot’s Association (www.aopa.org) is a great place to start.  An even better place – your local airport – is right here in your back yard.  Pick up the phone, Google “Learn to Fly Kansas City”, or get in the car and drive over to that “small” airport and start asking questions.  Someone will be able to help you.  If this is truly a dream of yours you’ve got to be tenacious.  Don’t give up.

Let me give you brief caution about another breed unique to our industry; the ramp rat.  These are the folks who are already inside the fence and feel it should be a right of passage for everyone to have to jump through the same hoops they did.  Once involved in GA they treat it like an exclusive country club and are unwelcoming of newcomers.  You’ll recognize them hanging out in airport lobbies shooting the breeze with their cronies.  They’re long on criticism and opinion and short on much of anything else.  A stranger to their lair will rarely be given the effort it takes to stand up and extend a welcoming hand.  This type will act like you’re an interruption…someone not worthy of them taking a break from their bad coffee and day-old paper.  You’ll know it when you see one.  Ignore them.  Whatever you do, just remind yourself that their breed is present in all walks of life.  Don’t let a chance encounter with a ramp rat discourage you.  Look past them and on to the true ambassadors who would love to help you reach your goal.

GA is full of opportunity.  The questions that you ask or the way you welcome others and answer their questions can make thousands of feet of difference not only between the fence and the flight line, but also between the ground and the flight levels.  If you’re an insider and see someone on the other side of the fence, what will you do to bring them in?  I’m calling on all aircraft owners, aviation businesses, mechanics, pilots, aviation employees, and airplane enthusiasts to help nurture these folks into general aviation.  Think you don’t know someone?  I’ll bet you know of a friend, relative, colleague, or maybe just someone who’s asked you about flying a time or two.  Whomever it is, General Aviation is counting on people just like you to keep this a vibrant, destination industry. 

Chris Kirk is a Kansas City native and owns WildBlue, LLC, a Platte City, MO (Kansas City area) based aircraft sales firm that sells quality owner-flown piston and light-jet aircraft world-wide.  He is passionate about growing a vibrant general aviation community and believes in the possibilities it has to offer.  Feel free to contact Chris at 816.479.2723 or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .