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!

FMI: www.aopa.org/info/take-em-flying.pdf (PDF File)