The Wide World of GA Flying
‘Variety of General Aviation’ Magazine Issue
By Larry Fields, FAA Flight Standards Service executive director
As the executive director for the FAA’s Flight Standards Service, it’s not uncommon for me to be asked: “What exactly is general aviation (GA)?” With the category being so large, I often feel it’s easier to define what GA is not. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has a similar stance and defines GA as “all civil aviation operations other than scheduled air services and non-scheduled air transport operations for remuneration or hire.”
That broad definition allows GA to encompass a wide range of activities and aircraft types. Today’s GA industry has progressed into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise consisting of business and leisure travel, search and rescue, agriculture operations, advertising, surveying, medical airlift, scientific endeavors, and, of course, flying for good old-fashioned pleasure. GA aircraft are just as varied: powered to non-powered, single-engine to multi-engine, turboprop to turbojet, rotorcraft, experimental, unmanned, and home-built.
Given the wide variety of activities that GA covers, it’s logical that many pilots would be curious about exploring different avenues of aviation. Not only can it add to the adventure and enjoyment of flying, but finding a new niche can also be tremendously beneficial to safety and help you build up your base of aviation experience.
For example, learning the maneuvers required for a commercial pilot certificate can make you a more proficient pilot, even if you have no interest in flying for hire. Or you can try fine-tuning your flying skills by adding a glider rating to your pilot certificate. Not only is soaring educational, but it can be one of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences aviation has to offer. Yet another option is to consider how basic aerobatic training can provide you with a lot more knowledge, confidence, and skill in handling your aircraft.
When it comes to learning opportunities in GA, the sky really is the limit. To help showcase this diversity, we’ve focused this magazine issue on exploring some of the many facets of GA. You’ll learn about the challenges and the vital importance of the agricultural aviation industry, gain a better understanding of hot air balloon aerodynamics, explore the sheer excitement of parachuting operations, and discover some important safety insights with seaplane flying. We also look at some of the many honorable volunteer flying options that exist, including the safety implications those types of operations entail.
While trying your hand at a new type of flying can be both educational and fun, it’s important to recognize and train for any unique handling characteristics you might face. That’s why we also look at the importance of transition training and how it can improve your confidence and competency when trying to understand a new cockpit layout, master a different type of control response, or simply gain a better understanding of performance capabilities.
As we often say in the industry, a pilot certificate is a “license to learn.” It may signify you have met the requirements to operate a particular aircraft safely, but a pilot certificate also marks the beginning of a lifelong journey of continuous learning and skill enhancement. What better way to enhance those skills than with a variety of real-world flying experiences to present new challenges, expand your horizons, and supplement safety in all your aviation endeavors. Embrace the wide world of GA flying!
Safe flying!
