EAA Chairman of the Board Jack Pelton says that in order to look forward and grow the GA pilot population, we need to also look back.
Because of his position as Chairman of the Board at EAA and as the retired chairman, president and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Co., Jack Pelton’s professional résumé makes him one of the most recognizable executives in the aviation community.
But when the tie comes off and the briefcase is closed, Jack Pelton is just like you and me: an active pilot that is always working to improve General Aviation and give back any way he can.
In about 5,000 flight hours, he’s earned an ATP rating for multi-engine land aircraft, commercial rating for single-engine land and sea, and is type rated as single pilot in the Cessna Mustang, Citation 500, Citation X and CitationJet (Model 525) family. He and his wife Rose own a 1942 PT-17 Stearman, 1942 PT-22 Ryan, 1955 Cessna 195B, 1981 Cessna 414A with RAM VII conversion and 2009 Cessna 162 Skycatcher—and all are flown regularly.
Pelton gets it when it comes to being an aviation volunteer as well as advocate. “There are very few if any of us in the aviation community that achieved what we set out to do without the help of someone,” Pelton said. “If we reflect on the journey, there typically is a mentor, teacher, family supporter or someone who helped us along the way. So if you believe that is true, you need to do the same to perpetuate involvement in our aviation community.”
In between meetings in Oshkosh or Wichita and trips to Washington, D.C. to represent EAA’s members on Capitol Hill, Pelton seems to have found the time to do plenty of grassroots volunteerism and advocacy projects.
“Prior to taking on the Chairman role at EAA,” Pelton explains, “I was involved as a member of the FAA management advisory council. I also volunteer on committees that are focused on aviation projects like the FAR 23 rewrite activity.
I believe so deeply in this GA community and how positive it can be on people’s lives. So being able to volunteer and also advocate for GA gives me the satisfaction that others will have the access to participate like I have had, at whatever level of engagement they choose.
“I volunteer in an advisory role to almost any aviation activity that needs help. I am on the board of the Corporate Angel Network (CAN) and Doc’s Friends ; I help Lyn Freeman on Build A Plane; I participate in the local aero club—the list goes on and on.
“Aviation has been not only my career but also my avocation. I believe so deeply in this GA community and how positive it can be on people’s lives. So being able to volunteer and also advocate for GA gives me the satisfaction that others will have the access to participate like I have had, at whatever level of engagement they choose.”
In a career paved with achievements, Pelton has spent countless hours as an aviation volunteer and advocate. “I have so many wonderful stories,” Pelton says, “even going back to my early flying days with the Douglas Aircraft flying club. We would rent planes and fly from California to Arizona to take frozen turkeys to an Indian reservation so they could have a Thanksgiving dinner.
“I’ve loved flying Special Olympic athletes to their games and talking to kids at schools only to have their parents tell me years later that their children pursued an aviation career due to my words of encouragement.”
The most enjoyable kind of flying for Pelton might not be what you think. “A perfect day of flying for me is always about flying for pleasure,” he explains, “with no schedule to meet.”
He continued, “There are two distinct types for me personally. One is the days I spend flying with my wife to the Florida Keys or California coast on vacation.
“The more common is a wonderful day with my buddies at my home airport of Lloyd Stearman Field (1K1), flying our Stearmans in the morning or evening around the Flint Hills of Kansas before ducking in to Beaumont, Kansas’ grass field (07S) and taxing down the main street for a bite to eat at the Beaumont Hotel. It does not get any better than that.”
There is no question that growing aviation is always on Pelton’s radar screen, and he says the importance of reaching children on up to the 40-plus crowd is critical. “The pilot population data clearly shows that the majority of the pilots today are over 55 years of age,” said Pelton.
“One thing that is sure in life is that we all slow down in our later years and at some point need to give up flying. So looking at GA growth from a purely mathematical perspective means that to sustain a vibrant GA sector, we need to be reaching out to the younger demographic.
“We are very proud at EAA that our Young Eagles program is a great step in helping to expose a young person to flight. We are closing in on our two-millionth Young Eagle ride being given.
“That said, EAA is not being complacent about the progress and we believe there is so much more we need to do,” Pelton said. “Stay tuned.”
When the tie comes off and the briefcase is closed, Pelton is just like you and me: an active pilot that is always working to improve General Aviation and give back any way he can.
In order to look forward and grow the GA pilot population, Pelton says we need to look back. “The fundamentals of what created the GA sector are unchanged today. We saw the largest growth in the GA sector occur many years ago, post-World War II.
“At that time, what we did really well then was tell the story about the practical use and benefits GA brings to our country. I think that after the acceptance of aviation became commonplace, we let up on all that education. We need to double down on our volunteer work to promote GA—especially on the advocacy front. Airports can be at risk if the communities are not hearing the story of the benefits.”
The need for everyone in General Aviation to do something to help brighten GA’s future is one you will hear Pelton discuss at any opportunity. “We have many issues that need all of us in the community to advocate for,” Pelton says, “the Third Class medical exemption, preventing airport closures, 100LL fuel replacement, etc.
“Just as important is participating in mentoring and advocacy, humanitarian efforts using aviation, and standing together as a community to promote aviation in a positive manner. The list of places you can participate is endless. Find the area that best fits your skills or gifts and get involved. My experience is that it’s more than rewarding, it’s life-changing.”
As we look to the future, Pelton says sitting on the sidelines is not an option. “For advocacy on regulatory issues, complacency can create unwanted negative consequences,” he said. “That is why every GA voice needs to weigh in, so the power of our collective voice can be heard.
“There are growth opportunities if we push to allow for the application of sensible cost-effective safety enhancements. Also, protecting our freedom to use the airspace and airports requires pilot advocacy and volunteering at the local level. It does make a difference.”
There are two words that Pelton needs everyone reading this column to remember: Get. Involved. Aviation was established by grassroots diplomacy, and the GA community today requires sweat equity from every pilot in order to thrive.
Dan Pimentel has worked in journalism and graphic design since 1979, and is the president and creative director of Celeste/Daniels Advertising and Design (celestedaniels.com). He’s an instrument-rated private pilot and has been writing the Airplanista Aviation Blog (airplanista.com) since 2005. You can find him on Twitter as @Av8rdan. Send questions or comments to editor@www.piperflyer.com.
