Introducing friends and family to GA
One of the finer perks of employment at AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland, is the "First Flight" program. Not everyone who comes to work for AOPA is a pilot and many may never have flown in a general aviation aircraft before. As part of the new employee package, pilots in the various divisions offer introductory flights to new hires. There's Director of Public Relations Kevin Murphy, who gives first flights in Murphy Brown, his wife's Cessna 172; AOPA Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg, who gives first flights in the foundation's Piper Archer; and Senior Vice President of Publications Tom Haines, who takes employees up in his Beechcraft A36 Bonanza.
Taking a nonpilot up for his or her first flight in a GA aircraft can be rewarding for both pilot and passenger. When former AOPA Pilot Advertising Director Denis Beran took editorial assistant Jill Tallman and me flying in his 1966 Mooney M20E, Jill was sure that she'd need a "barf" bag, and my knuckles were white. Jill is now a certificated pilot who takes her two young children on exciting day trips and, well, I may end up the longest-running student pilot — but I've learned to love flying and am a willing and able passenger anytime.
You can give the same gift to your friends and family. "My first flight was from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey," remembers Kitty Pultorak, AOPA aviation technical specialist. "We flew along the Manhattan skyline and saw the Statue of Liberty. It was awesome. That kind of experience can cement the desire to learn to fly."
Pultorak recently took a girlfriend up for her first flight. It was her friend's fifty-fifth birthday and she'd vowed to try something new each year. Pultorak flew to the beach and showed her friend where they were on the sectionals. "At altitude I trimmed the airplane and let her take the controls. She loved it and is now ready to take lessons."
Your destination can be the best way to introduce a friend to flight. Even a reluctant passenger can be enticed by a day trip to a special spot. Research an area that would interest your passenger — simply seeing home from the air can be thrilling. Or find a good restaurant on an airfield not far from home. Fly up for a nice lunch and return.
"It's important to talk to your passenger when you're preflighting the aircraft. Listening to you check and double-check all the steps of the preflight and getting an explanation of why you are doing what you are doing provides a great reassurance," adds Pultorak. "A half-hour-to-hour flight is a good idea — it leaves them wanting more."
Landsberg offers these tips for the hesitant first-time flier:
- Pick your weather carefully. A calm, clear morning before the winds and thermals pick up is best.
- Have the passenger join you on the preflight inspection. Be thorough but don't overwhelm him with too much detail.
- Explain about sterile cockpit procedures and make sure your passenger is secure in his seat.
- Make sure that your passenger has a headset.
- Involve the passenger in the use of the checklist.
- Give a running commentary on takeoff to help ease tension.
Landsberg also recommends that your frequent passengers take an AOPA Air Safety Foundation Pinch-Hitter® course. "The ASF pioneered this program more than 30 years ago, and it has no doubt saved countless marriages, relationships, and lives," says Landsberg.
As an AOPA member, you have access to the best resources anywhere for information and answers for pilots. AOPA provides information for its members through a vast array of communications technologies. You can reach experts in all fields of aviation via AOPA Online ( www.aopa.org/members/), the AOPA Pilot Information Center (800/USA-AOPA), and e-mail ( [email protected]). Aviation technical specialists respond promptly to member requests while AOPA Online provides members with access to information and resources 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free AOPA Pilot Information Center gives you direct access to specialists in every area of aviation. The center is available to members from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
AOPA Web resources
These subject reports provide answers to frequently asked questions.
www.aopa.org/members/files/topics/
The Air Safety Foundation's Pinch-Hitter ® ground school is a four-hour course that will increase your passenger's understanding and enjoyment of flying. The schedule of classes and registration information is available on this site. You may also order the video and manuals here.
www.aopa.org/asf/seminars/pinch.html
"Selling Your Family on Flying," by Greg Brown, offers tips and suggestions for critical first flights, including where to go and how to make — and keep — passengers comfortable.
www.aopa.org/members/ftmag/article.cfm?article=92
AOPA Air Safety Foundation Executive Director Bruce Landsberg discusses how to help "Uneasy Riders" become good cockpit companions.
www.aopa.org/asf/asfarticles/sp9412.html
AOPA Pilot columnist Mark Twombly discusses how "The Reluctant Passenger" overcame her fear and learned to appreciate the flying life.
www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/1999/mrt9902.html
"Copilot, Dear" is a charming story about how one pilot introduced his hesitant spouse to flight.
www.aopa.org/members/files/pilot/1994/newpi9406.html#journal
