AOPA Pilot Magazine - March 2008 - (Page 121) AOPAPILOT 50 years What ever happened to ? My how things have changed in only 50 years BY ALTON K. MARSH T he general aviation industry of 50 years ago was quaint, amusing, and lacking today’s clear vision and superior knowledge—which is exactly the approach an AOPA Pilot writer will take 50 years from now to make us all look quaint and amusing. But tossing caution aside, here is that quaint little world of 1958. An idea that wouldn’t fly The huge Hertz rental car company was certain that its rent-a-plane con- cept would set a trend for the industry and “change the way people travel.” In The AOPA Pilot’s first issue, Hertz purchased a full-page ad promising that later in the year it would announce the new service nationally, and late in 1958 it kept that promise. The service began with 56 airports enrolled, soon to become 100, the company promised. The cost was $1.50 an hour for a 12-hour airplane rental plus 13 cents a mile for customers who had a pilot certificate, or $2.50 an hour plus 18 cents a mile for Nancy Narco was the voice of the National Aeronautical Corp. for many years (above). The rent-a-plane concept from Hertz was shortlived (left). AOPA PILOT • 121 • MARCH 2008
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