A jet at every school

NOTE: The below originally appeared as the editorial in our April 1 One Minute Week newsletter. To find out more, and sign up for free, please click here.

Two of the big problems facing the business jet industry are public perceptions of business aviation and the large number of older pre-owned aircraft for sale.

Fortunately, there is an easy solution to both. And it comes from – of all places – a small primary or elementary school in the South East of England.

Milton Hall School has just taken delivery of an old Citation Bravo fuselage which it will turn into a teaching area for up to 15 children. It is installing benches and solar panels and will project onto the side of the aircraft. The school bought the aircraft from a nearby airport and says it works out cheaper than building a new classroom. It really is a brilliant solution. The school saves money and business aviation gets young converts.

We all worry about perceptions, but the vast majority of people do not know anything about business aviation. Last year we surveyed 5000 Americans and asked them to name a business jet company. More than 70% of average Americans could not name one company involved in business aviation – and this is the world’s biggest and most mature market. People older than 55 years old were much better – particularly knowing Lear.

Associations like NBAA, EBAA, ASBAA and others – are all doing great work to advertise the benefits of business aviation. But we could all do more. If other children could be introduced to business aviation so young it would be fantastic for the whole industry.  And it would also free up space at many airports.