General aviation: the role and advantages

What do we mean saying «general aviation»? To put it briefly, these are aircraft and people servicing other people like we all are!
Sounds good but too simple, unfortunately, to make that this wording satisfy all people concerned. The way people understand general aviation has nothing to do with the reality. There is a general and well-established opinion that general aviation is small aircraft. That's wrong and general aviation is struggling with such a perception.
In fact, general aviation is a comfortable way to move around for some people, on the other hand it is a profitable way to transport cargos for other people and, finally, it is a real joy for the third group of people. In any case, be it business or joy, the general aviation does work effectively! An expression «these small planes» provides a wrong understanding of the industry, which turnover counts for billions of US dollars and plays a major part in the economies of many nations.
In order to visualize my statement I'd like to give you some facts and figures. Then, I will tell you about the role played by general aviation, including aerial works, make a comparison between general aviation and other modes of transport, and the last but not least, I will brief you on economic advantages of the use of general aviation.
By rewording an 1C АО definition, I may say that general aviation is a sort of activity performed by civil aviation and not linked with regular and charter commercial air transportations. That is why it is my intention to tell you about aerial works, despite the fact that some years ago ICAO distinguished them from general aviation section.
For those believing that general aviation is a commercial one (i.e. making, predominantly, regular and charter flights) it would be pretty interesting to find that 89% of all air vehicles operate within the framework of general aviation. Moreover, 87% of all flights are considered general aviation ones and 80% of all pilots run general aviation planes.
General aviation and aerial works have a great stake and is of outmost importance for the nation's economy and its transport system.
The general aviation integrates business, private and sports aviations.
The general aviation is the most important component of the global transport system, and supplements commercial aviation and other modes of transport. It serves a flexible, rapid and efficient tool of connecting remote areas with business centers.
This mode of transport creates thousands of jobs and gives an impetus to the economic growth, thus ensuring effective and safe transportation of cargos and passengers all over the world.
It is difficult to describe all the aspects of the general aviation deployed all over the world and servicing lots of domains. Now, I will give you some examples enabling to answer the question what the general aviation is.

The general aviation is a personal transport vehicle ensuring business mobility. In other words, people can get whenever and wherever they want to, quickly and comfortably, when they travel on private or business purposes.
The general aviation is the major carrier in the world. I've mentioned already that 87% of all flights are considered the general aviation ones. If I say that regular flights are an arteria of a nation's transport system, then the general aviation is veins and capillary vessels.
Now, let's examine how aerial works are connected with the general aviation.
Until 1990th a definition «general aviation» had included aerial works. Despite the fact that the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations had been against a 1C АО proposal on distinguishing the aerial works from the general aviation, the ICAO signatories came to a different conclusion and voted for an amendment to the Annex VI. Aerial works mean operation of special-purpose aircraft performing agricultural work, construction work, aerial survey, patroling&surveillance, SAR, aerial advertisement and etc.
Aerial works can be defined as a paid operation of civil aerial vehicle, which main purpose is not associated with transportation of people and cargos.
Apart from this, there is a need to mention a very important domain of activities of the general aviation - flight training ranging from private pilots to the regular flight ones. Statistics show that about 24% of all logged hours are linked with flight training. Moreover, private flying schools provide training for 50% of all airlines pilots!
Rotary-winged aircraft are mainly used to do aerial works: SAR, transplanted human organs transportation, aero medical evacuation, geological survey, transportation and dropping of cargoes and etc.
Definitely, I could have added more items to this list, but I haven't. By giving you these examples, I only wanted to tell you about main aerial works, which are in demand daily.
Generally, I can say that general aviation and aerial works are very versatile and important. The most important thing about general aviation is flexibility that is the main advantage of these civil aviation sectors.
General aviation plays an outstanding role. In most cases it reimburses inconveniences and high cost of other modes of transport.
Keep in mind a very simple but extremely precise expression: one mile of highway or railway brings you nowhere while one mile of a runway leads you everywhere.
Allow me now to focus on the advantages of the general aviation and, in particular, to highlight its position in the European region.
Research and surveys done by different public and private organizations prove the fact that general aviation is a profitable enterprise from economic standpoint. There are 2800 civil aerodromes in the ICAO European region and, clearly, general aviation flights are of outmost importance for promoting business activity, associated directly or indirectly with the aviation.

Actually, statistics say that every million of carried passengers creates about one thousand jobs in the airports. The indirect result is that the same amount of carried passengers creates 2000-4000 jobs in the industries associated with the servicing airport activities.
General aviation gives lots of advantages to the economies of countries where it is in use. The economy gets an impetus, since the general aviation employs local facilities and therefore creates conditions for developing local businesses. The 1993 Swiss research showed that total turnover of the general aviation and aerial works had amounted CHFVOOm in this country, i.e. CHF2.5m per one general aviation aircraft.
Since the general aviation is a very flexible system, it serves the economies of underdeveloped regions and increases the competitiveness of local industries.
As far as the investment planning is concerned, the surveys go that construction of airports takes the third line. This is another confirmation of the fact that the general aviation and business aviation in particular, promote trade in the region and create jobs.
The direct effect is that business activity gets promoted, since operation of an airport and aerodrome gives work to aviation, transport and service companies. The indirect effect on the economy is done by establishing new companies or developing the existing ones. Furthermore, increasing activities lead to the reduction of basic expenditures. And the last but not least, the whole scope of activities creates multiplier effect (by bringing direct and indirect income), which inspires businesses directly not associated with the aviation.
Now I would like to in more detail the role of business aviation as an integral part of the global transport system. We believe that this sector of the general aviation is an irreplaceable way for businessmen to fly to some places, where they can not get to due to the lack of regular flights. The business aviation enables them to save money and time. The general aviation, and the business aviation in particular, creates a transport network that supplements and, pretty often, wins over regular and charter flights as well as over other modes of transport. Flexibility is, probably, the most important advantage of the general aviation. The companies operating general aviation aircraft can meet almost all transportation demands. General aviation aircraft serve the greater number of destination points compared to the airlines. No matter how general aviation aircraft are operated, they are in use because they are safe, flexible, reliable and profitable.
Another reason making the companies to use general aviation aircraft is that it saves much time. A survey made by a German company of management advisers shows that a more important role is played by business aviation compared to regular flights, railway and automobile transports. The results say that higher price of business flights is reimbursed by the time saved. Moreover, high flexibility, comfort and prestige can not be assessed in figures!
A survey done by a US consulting company proves the fact that the business aviation gives advantages to a company and makes its work more efficient compared to the business rivals not taking general aviation flights.
Based upon a report by Marcel Felten