Contest winner to experience business aviation
What do a company that makes wearable fitness gear, a company that buys and removes overhead cranes, and a company that supplies greywater irrigation systems have in common? One, they all were finalists in the AOPA BizAv and You Contest Powered by Pilatus. Two, staff at each have a vision about how access to a business aircraft could improve their company’s performance.
AOPA launched the contest to encourage individuals to consider how a business aircraft might change the way they do business. We asked employees, officials, or owners to explain in up to 300 words how their company would utilize an airplane such as the Pilatus PC–12. The winner would fulfill such a mission to demonstrate the effectiveness of business aviation. The submitter would also get to fly at least some of the trip in the single-engine turboprop.
I thought if we got 15 entries we’d be doing well. After all, who writes essays anymore? The most I thought we’d get was 25.
I underestimated the interest! We received 93 entries, almost all of them remarkable tales about how a capable airplane such as the PC–12 could make a difference. With so many excellent entries, how to decide on just one? A group of editors and I scored them on a variety of factors related to the use of the airplane; how well the proposed trip leveraged the time savings possible with business aviation; use of airports not served by the airlines; and the capabilities of the PC–12, with its big cargo door, flexible interior, and rugged landing gear. We ultimately honed the list to one, but not without a lot of debate. There were dozens of solid entries that could have won.
We’ll reveal the winner in the December issue and show you how he was able to utilize the PC–12 to help grow his company during a critical time in its development. Meanwhile, take a look at your business and consider how access to point-to-point transport for you, your sales team, your customers, your engineers, and other staff could benefit your bottom line. If you’re like our 93 entrants, you’ll find a great resource in business aviation.
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