Thu, Mar 16, 2006
Enlightening The Media, One Reporter At A Time
It's no secret that
many pilots feel GA gets a bum rap in the general media -- nor is
it difficult to guess the reasons why that may be the case. The
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association believes one of the biggest
obstacles to helping the non-flying public understand general
aviation, is a reporter who shares the public's misconceptions.
But AOPA is working to change that —- one reporter at a
time. Working with flight schools around the country, AOPA is
arranging for reporters to take a discovery flight themselves.
The flights take some of the mystery out of flying, by giving
reporters a hands-on understanding that they can use when covering
GA stories. And, of course, the flights pay an extra dividend...
because the reporters can also tell their readers what a thrill it
is.
"You know the feeling when you're speeding up a hill in your car
or on a roller coaster and your stomach drops a bit as your head
gets lighter?" wrote one first-time pilot/reporter recently. "It's
a really neat feeling, especially when you're the one controlling
it."
(Hehe... another
convert -- Ed.)
"Expanding the pilot population is vital to the continued health
of aviation in America," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "And
offering discovery flights to reporters is a great way to reach
those who don't know how to take that first step."
AOPA also says its members can help with the effort, by offering
to take local reporters or civic leaders flying with them.
So, join the effort. Adopt a reporter. Introduce them to the
wonders of flight!
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