User Survey of Barriers to the Utility of General Aviation 2002-01-1509

Barriers to the utility of general aviation were identified through a web-based survey of active general aviation pilots based in North America. Several key issues emerged as being important to increasing the utility of general aviation transportation. Improved weather information as well as near all-weather capability for general aviation aircraft and better access to ground transportation at the travel destination would significantly increase utility. Furthermore, modifying the business model for owning and operating general aviation aircraft may be the best near-term strategy for lowering the expense of general aviation transportation. Although increasing the cruise speed of general aviation aircraft is also an attractive strategy, analysis indicates that the overall utility of the aircraft may not be increased.