FBOs & Tenants

Harness Change

Feb. 21, 2018

Situations are changing in aviation and that includes airports.

For one thing, Elon Musk has successfully launched the Falcon Heavy rocket. You can bet that he plans for others. Word has it that he wants his own launch and recovery sites. Will they be on airports? Who knows? I don’t, but I bet it would be easy to find out from Musk and/or his media department. Maybe you could call to ask if their plans will require new airport locations.

At the same time, FedEx has placed a huge order with Textron for a brand new Cessna airplane built to order. Will those new airplanes fit into the existing airports used by FedEx? The new airplanes won’t be ready until sometime in 2020, so you have plenty of time to talk with FedEx about their plans. Who knows? They may have new airport needs and your airport may fit those needs.

I still remember the days when aviation experts laughed at the very idea of FedEx flying small boxes in small jets, instead of in old Twin Beeches and Aztecs.

Aviation today is changing rapidly. The people who figure out what the future will bring will benefit greatly.

About the Author

Ralph Hood | Certified Speaking Professional

Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University.

Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico.