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it takes to sell airplanes. He didn’t know my only sales experience was a total failure selling greeting cards as a kid.
4. Whatareyourthoughtsregarding the dramatic increase in costs affiliated with flight training and aircraft ownership as compared to the beginning of your career?
Years ago, I remember stopping in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and being horrified that their fuel price for 80 octane was 50 cents per gallon. I told my brother to never stop there because of that and he reminds me to this day to steer clear of Muscle Shoals. So certainly, fuel prices are an enormous contributor to the increase in operating costs. I think advances in powerplant technology can help us on that front. Product liability is another big one that affects everyone from the smallest aerospace suppliers up to the airframe OEM’s. It would help if the insurance industry wouldn’t be so quick to settle on frivolous cases as opposed to making the effort to fight them out in court.
5. Can you describe one of the most unusual airports you have ever landed a general aviation aircraft?
I would have to say the Shut– tle Landing Facility (KTTS). Recently, our local aviation club was able to get special permission to land on the Space Shuttle strip. I couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity, so a few buddies and I loaded up in my A36 and made the short trip up from Vero Beach. The joke was that it was going to require great skill and heavy braking for me to safely land on the 15,000 foot runway. But we made it without•a hitch, and it was such a thrill to be touching down on the same strip that welcomed home so many of our astronaut heroes. T&T
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Dianne White can be contacted at editor@diannewhite.com
August 2018 TWIN & TURBINE • 17