august2022 - 19

A continuing trend is for businesses to transport
employees to in person meetings and events
via private aviation, by either chartering aircraft,
investing in a company-owned aircraft or opting
for a fractional ownership program.
Major contributors
propelling the
growth of general
aviation include
increased flight
training, charter
activity, relocation
or remote work
situations and
investment.
companies investing in the space sector
has not only changed the paradigm for
space travel, but provided an entrepreneurial
model to infuse dollars into electric
propulsion and UAM projects, such
as eVTOL (electric vertical take off and
landing) aircraft. Aviation investment is
also fueled by the drive for clean energy
and environmental sustainability, and
could advance investments in battery
and electric motor technology for general
aviation aircraft.
While many challenges exist in how to
a company-owned aircraft or opting for a
fractional ownership program. With the
U.S. and other parts of the world moving
COVID-19 from being a pandemic to an
endemic, both commercial airline and
general aviation activity are expected
to increase.
However, flying privately in smaller
aircraft continues to hold many advantages,
such as presenting a lower health
risk when compared to a commercial airline
flight filled with hundreds of potential
virus-spreading passengers. The
elimination of federal mask mandates on
transportation networks may also drive
general aviation activity.
Relocation and Remote Work
Opportunities
Third, with many businesses providing
remote work opportunities, many individuals
are relocating from urban areas
to smaller communities. This trend to
move away from major urban centers,
and farther away from major airline
hubs, increases the desirability, flexibility
and freedom of mobility that come with
general aviation.
Notably, this movement to suburban
and rural communities is resulting in
increased demand at the nation's general
aviation airports - presenting the
challenge of how to accommodate longterm
operational and facility needs.
As a result, many airport sponsors are
gearing up to make major investments in
infrastructure improvements and capital
projects.
Aviation Investment
Finally, the general aviation industry
is attracting venture capitalists to the
emerging air mobility market (UAM) at
a rapid pace. The explosion of private
safely integrate air taxis into the national
airspace system, the general aviation
industry will play a major role in addressing
the regulatory, safety, economic and
social issues associated with making
UAM a reality. Ultimately, the infusion of
venture capital investment drives innovation
and creates new opportunities for
general aviation pilots.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CURT CASTAGNA
Curt Castagna, president
and CEO of Aeroplex Group
Partners, is the current chair of
the Los Angeles County Airport
Commission, president of the
Van Nuys and Long Beach
airport associations, and
immediate past board chair of
the National Air Transportation
Association. A certified private and instrumentrated
pilot, he continues to instruct courses in
aviation administration at Cypress Community
College, and Calif State Los Angeles for over two
decades.
August 2022 || AviationPros.com || 19
http://www.AviationPros.com
august2022

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