The Global Aviator

Many of us grew up in a world where the US was the center of all commercial aviation and the rest of the world was at best, a destination.  Exploring new worlds used to be (and still is) one of the great draws for people to entertain joining the ranks of professional pilots.  However, the US airlines have retracted over the last two decades, offering minimal career growth opportunities for young pilots.  Meanwhile outside our borders, the aviation world has expanded rapidly and “grown up” to make commercial flying a career with truly global opportunities.

For the first time ever, passenger airline traffic within Europe outpaced US domestic traffic in 2010 (despite volcanoes and holiday snow closures).  Further, the Asian market is expected to become the world’s largest aviation market within the next decade.  Meanwhile, Emirates has ordered over 90 A380 superjumbo jets to fill the middle-eastern skies and create the world’s largest stopover point in Dubai.  Indeed, the world has changed dramatically since the dawn of commercial air transport; and will continue to change just as dramatically in the years to come.

The moral of the story?  Well, aside from just getting out and taking advantage of amazing global airline network to travel the world; the moral here is that young pilots can continue to set their sights high and need not be disappointed by career limitations with US carriers.  The whole world awaits for those willing to explore it…

Matt Baumgarth, Director At Large

A Pilot Pilgrimage

Aside from usually great flying weather, July has come to mean one
thing to most every pilot: Oshkosh.  This annual event that started as
a get-together for pilots interested in building their own private
aircraft has transformed into THE aviation event of the year for
anyone that has (or dreams of having) their own wings.  Pilots from
across the country, and many from around the world, are descending on
Oshkosh, Wisconsin this week to share their love of aviation.  I’ve
known many pilots that plan their entire year to make sure they can
make it to at least some portion of this week-long event, with most
planning to fly themselves to Wisconsin.

While the focus of Oshkosh is and will always be private aviation, the
event has also attracted the business jet and commercial aircraft
builders, making it truly a one-stop shop for every aspect of
piloting.  The massive display grounds and aircraft parking areas at
the airport make it quite easy to forget that there are daily air show
displays going on overhead and I can guarantee that one week is
certainly not enough time to take in all that Oshkosh has to offer.

Moreover, Oshkosh and its sponsor (the Experimental Aircraft
Association) are both strong reminders that the joys of flying do not
stop on the runway, but are carried forward throughout our lives via
the camaraderie that aviators share with each other and their
communities.  Nonprofit associations like the LeRoy W Homer Jr.
Foundation, AOPA and EAA not only tie aviators together, but serve as
a conduit between aviation and our communities.  This philanthropic
and communal nature that bonds most pilots together has kept the
aviation community thriving throughout the first century of human
flight and will continue to provide its heartbeat in the future.

Whether or not you ever dream of sitting in the cockpit, I would
encourage everyone who reads this blog to plan at least one pilgrimage
to Oshkosh in your lifetime.  I’m willing to bet that your first trip
will not be your last.

Matt Baumgarth