Unfortunately, most airports and their respective GA communities don’t organize until a crisis threatens — often too late to be an effective counter force to the opposition’s efforts formed months or even years earlier in pursuit of its anti-aviation agendas.

How to organize effectively

The Westchester Aviation Association, a not-for-profit organization, is an excellent example of how this kind of organization which represents the general aviation community at Westchester County Airport (HPN), just outside of New York City, has helped that airport thrive.

Founded in 1982, the WAA has been a consistent and vocal voice for GA at the airport. They have made great strides in community outreach to address resident concerns, and have maintained strong ties to local, state and federal officials. The WAA has been successful in communicating the benefits the airport provides to the community by direct and indirect revenue, convenience and safety.

Combined efforts block anti-aviation legislation

Recently, a New York Congresswoman backed legislation that would implement a permanent ban on nighttime flights at the airport. The WAA was instrumental in reacting quickly to the proposed legislation, and was successful in getting it blocked. The WAA’s success illustrates the value of an active airport association in place before a crisis threatens the aviation community.

Through diligent community organization, communication and education, the WAA also serves as a model for others to counter attempts to curtail aviation growth for airports and deal with encroaching development, noise complaints, and other issues.

This May, the WAA co-sponsored a major event at Westchester County Airport with Hawker Beechcraft. The event was well attended by politicians, corporations, media, local businesses, civic organizations, and even a former astronaut to illustrate the economic benefits of regional airports.

“Our airport is clearly a tool that promotes economic development,” said County Executive Rob Astorino. “The airport is home to more than 80 businesses, employs 1300 people and contributes $649 million to the local economy.”

Regional airports would do well to follow the WAA model.

Jeff Lee, President of the WAA, said the partnership between the organization, local government and community residents has been key to the development of the airport.

“The airport spurs jobs and brings business to the area,” said Lee. “So we reached out to the community and tried to find common ground between local citizens’ concerns and airport operations.”

The WAA proves the success accomplished by a fully developed and sustained community-aviation relationship providing a healthy, local economy to benefit all communities neighboring a regional airport.

Listen in on WAA community/business event

Click here to listen to a brief podcast of this effective aviation event WAA May Event, Westchester Business Takes Flight.

If you wish to join the Westchester Aviation Association and be a part of its on-going efforts in supporting GA at HPN, click here for an application form.

One interesting business travel alternative was recently introduced by Panorama Flight Service, a mid-sized charter firm located at Westchester County Airport just outside New York City. The new program, Your Flight Department (YFD), is essentially your own, private mini airline ready to fly at your convenience, 24/7, whenever and wherever you need to fly.

With YFD, a fast, high-performance aircraft with experienced, certified pilots are assigned exclusively to you. Designed to accommodate up to three passengers, YFD will transport you and your team anywhere within a 600 mile radius in less than 3 hours. The best news is that the service is surprisingly affordable, significantly less than flying first class, and without the hassle of flying commercial — no traffic delay driving to the airport, no waiting at the terminal, no security hassles, no connecting flights. It is simply parking lot to runway: 20 minutes tops — and, yes, you can keep your shoes on!

This personal flight service is not exclusively for the Fortune 500 CEO; the program offers significant tax advantages, which drops the cost down for small business owners and executives who travel frequently. With YFD, your time becomes more productive with added flexibility and convenience in travel arrangements.

With the YFD, Panorama handles all aircraft management and staffing. All you do is call and let them know where and when you want to go; your aircraft and pilot will be waiting on the ramp.  There you have it: your own mini airline for less than flying commercial.

Panorama is clearly on to something. With commercial air travel becoming one big headache, smart aviation executives are providing cost-effective travel alternatives to the big airlines. Hey, just the savings on aspirin alone makes the program worthwhile.

Listen to a podcast on this topic Your Flight Department (YFD)

The prospect of driving from New York to Delaware is not one I look forward to on the best of occasions, but trying to leave the NYC metro area and driving the length of New Jersey on a Friday night before a warm, sunny forecast, was not my idea of how to start a weekend. I knew full well, as anyone living in this part of the world knows, it often seems everyone in the Northeast is heading for the Jersey shore. A normal five hour car ride can easily turn into ten or more.

But I’m a pilot! I can rise above this congested nightmare of a commute! The solution was simple: fly.

I picked my daughter at 4:00 pm and drove to Panorama Flight Service at Westchester Airport in White Plains, New York, and rented one of their new Cessna 172s with a G1000 glass panel. We took off around 5:30, and a little over an hour later we landed in Wilmington, Delaware, where my daughter’s boyfriend met us. We walked over to Polidoro’s restaurant, right

next door to the airport, had a relaxing dinner with some excellent conversation (with no alcohol). By 8:30 pm, I was in the cockpit heading home.

Looking down as I flew over the New Jersey Turnpike (or rather, the New Jersey parking lot, as traffic was backed-up for miles and miles), I could appreciate the twinkling taillights and headlights as being quite beautiful from 5,000 feet above. Not having to be stuck in that awful traffic made me appreciate the freedom general aviation affords.

Flying… what a great way to travel!