It's not all business

Over the shoals

May 12, 2016 By Thomas A. Horne

Perception is reality,says the public relations industry. And so it is that general aviation’s advocacy groups—AOPA among them, to be sure—constantly emphasize how privately and corporately owned airplanes let their owners be more productive. For those in the know, this is like preaching to the choir. We know intimately how having our own aircraft can quickly get us to business meetings and, in general, make transactions happen faster, on our own schedules, and especially in far-ranging areas poorly served by the airlines. All without having to put our shoes, laptops, and smartphones on a conveyor belt.

Over the shoals
A TBM850 at FL300, bound for a Nassau waypoint returning from Antigua.
Where: Cat Island, Bahamas
Photographer: Sylvia Schneider Horne

That goes double for those of us flying turbine-powered airplanes. Cruising at speeds deep into the triple digits, above most weather, it’s easily possible to make multiple visits over a thousand or more miles in a single day. That’s doing business in style.

Less well-publicized is that these airplanes make personal or vacation travel equally stylish. Want to strap in, take a few friends, and fly off to, say, a Caribbean island? For anyone based on the East Coast, for example, it’s a done deal in a matter of six hours or so—max.

That’s what we highlighted in this issue. On page T-7, see what it’s like to drop in on Antigua with a group of TBM owners. Summer is upon us, so maybe it’s time to shuck the business suit for something a lot more casual. After all, most owner-flown turbine aircraft are used principally for business purposes. Don’t feel guilty for taking a few flights a year to spool down. It’s part of what you’re working for, right? I’m guessing you have some similar vacation tales of your own. Feel free to send them along to us and we’ll publish a select few to keep the spirit alive.

—Thomas A. Horne, Turbine Pilot Editor

Thomas A. Horne

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large

AOPA Pilot Editor at Large Tom Horne has worked at AOPA since the early 1980s. He began flying in 1975 and has an airline transport pilot and flight instructor certificates. He’s flown everything from ultralights to Gulfstreams and ferried numerous piston airplanes across the Atlantic.

Go to Thomas A. Horne's Profile

It's not all business

Over the shoals

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