What influence and image are we making on the business of providing Aviation Services? Whether or not you think you are important to aviation’s overall image, maybe a fifth grade student, can demonstrate as he answers the question, “Why do you want to be a pilot?” Most of us in aviation probably have never been tested with this question like this young student. Here is his image of a pilot, apparently portrayed by those before him:

“When I grow up I want to be a pilot because its a fun job and easy to do. That’s why there are so many pilots flying around these days. Pilots don’t need much school; they just have to learn numbers so they can read their instruments. I guess they should be able to read road maps, too, so they can find their way if they get lost. Pilots should be brave so they won’t get scared if  it’s foggy and they can’t see, or if a wing or motor falls off, they should stay calm so they’ll know what to do. Pilots have to have good eyes to see through the clouds, and they can’t be afraid of thunder or lightning because they are so much closer to them than we are. The salary pilots make is another thing I like. They make more money than they know what to do with. This is because most people think that plane flying is dangerous, except pilots don’t because they know how easy it is. There isn’t much I don’t like, except girls like pilots and all the stewardesses want to marry them so they always have to chase them away so they won’t bother them. I hope I don’t get air sick, because I get car sick, and if I get air sick, I couldn’t be a pilot and then I would have to go to work.

Well, as shown through the eyes of the young, apparently we do have a responsibility to the general public as to the image of aviation. Let’s be smarter than a fifth grader and be prepared in case a motor does fall off, lest we too may have to go to work!

Jim Alexander, CEO