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SocialFlight promotes 'Take-Offs for Take-Out'

Pilots encouraged to patronize restaurants, FBOs as able during pandemic

A new community support campaign, Take-Offs for Take-Out, encourages general aviation pilots to patronize airport restaurants, FBOs, and pilot shops that are observing safe social distancing business practices during the coronavirus pandemic. Alternatively, pilots could purchase gift certificates for those businesses if they aren’t able to get out because of state and local orders.

SocialFlight's Take-Offs for Take-Out campaign encourages pilots to fly to airport restaurants, FBOs, and pilot shops that are observing social distancing practices as permitted during the coronavirus pandemic. Photo by Chris Rose.

The campaign is the creation of SocialFlight, a free web and mobile app that can be used to find events, airport restaurants, and interesting places to fly.

“These are challenging times for people in the United States and around the world, with a crisis that threatens not just people’s health, but also their economic well-being,” said SocialFlight President Jeff Simon. “General aviation is so important to so many people, whether it’s delivering supplies, transporting patients, or just inspiring future pilots everywhere. From local airports, FBOs, and airport restaurants, we are made up of the small businesses that are most vulnerable during difficult times. ‘Take-Offs for Take-Out’ is a way to celebrate the importance and resilience of general aviation.”

Many airport FBOs and restaurants have already adapted to the current crisis with pay-by-phone services and safe food, fuel, or product transfer procedures, the company said. Pilots are encouraged to contact businesses to determine if they are open and can support these safe practices, or to purchase gift certificates. SocialFlight’s hamburger icon map makes it easy for users to find airport restaurants, the company said.

Pilots who email pictures and stories to SocialFlight as part of the campaign will be eligible to win prizes donated by BendixKing, Bose, Lightspeed Aviation, Masimo, Tempest, and others.

SocialFlight is available on iTunes for iPhone or iPad, on the Google Play Store for Android phones and tablets, and on the web. AOPA members also can use the AOPA app to find places to fly, locate on-site restaurants and FBOs, and more.

Jill W. Tallman

Jill W. Tallman

AOPA Technical Editor
AOPA Technical Editor Jill W. Tallman is an instrument-rated private pilot who is part-owner of a Cessna 182Q.
Topics: U.S. Travel, COVID19

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