By Marc Dickensheets

I've been criss crossing the midwest the last couple of days riding either an Airbus 320 or an MD-90. Two engines with 28,000+ pounds of thrust accelerating me across our beautiful country at speeds in excess of 450 knots.  There is certainly a real difference in the experience of airline flight and general aviation flight.

All pilots love airshows. Watching the beauty of flight in aerial or static displays gets your heart pounding. But for most of us that is just the beginning. Sure it's fun to see new stuff or the high powered aircraft that showcase what some of the brilliant minds of this world have been able to accomplish. For those of us who have felt the thrill of piloting an airplane sometimes you leave the show feeling like something is missing.

28,000 lbs of thrust per engine! Wow! Now that that is over, it's my turn to fly. But my challenge is this. Out of those hundreds of people that were riding the airlines with me, who is longing to experience what it really feels like to take the controls? Who should or could I introduce to flight? Anyone can stand at the fence and watch the show, but to walk someone through the gate to the experience of their lifetime -- an experience that will lead them on their own journey of challenge and self discovery -- could be the way we change the face of general aviation. Wow!

How many people have you introduced to flying? Your local EAA chapter has likely flown many young eagles, but what is your goal for introducing people age 16 or 35+ to flight? How could you introduce a pilot to complex or multi-engine aircraft? Who do you know that could really benefit today from General Aviation tomorrow? Put your name out there on the bulletin board and see what happens.

Looking out the window of the airliner is great, but I personally can't wait to get my feet back on the rudder pedals of 180 horsepower and introduce someone to flying in a complex general aviation aircraft.