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POPA is useful not only for current owners and pilots of Pilatus aircraft but prospective ones as well. The organiza- tion’s website has a dedicated ‘Buyers Info’ tab, which con- tains resources related to operational costs, model variants, resale value, and much more.
“We are very active in helping out people who are consider- ing buying a Pilatus aircraft. We have a place on the website where people can go, even if they are not a member yet. And there’s a place you can go in and say that you are interested in talking to a member and picking their brain,” he said.
“Board members regularly get requests to speak with pro- spective owners, messages that get farmed out to us based on the specific type of airplane that they’re interested in. We have PC-12 legacy pilots, NG, NGX, and PC-24 pilots all involved in the board. Whenever we get a request like that, we always reach out to them and answer questions any way we can to be helpful.”
The organization’s impact is amplified through its relation- ship with the OEM. Mason explained that this symbiotic relationship dates back to POPA’s founding.
“We have the best relationship with our manufacturer. Pilatus representatives have been here since day one and continue to serve on our board as advisors. We, in turn, have a direct line of communication with them for our members. We also have built up great relationships with many of the equipment manufacturers on the aircraft.”
Bell agreed, providing additional detail surrounding how his relationship with the airframes has made him a more informed owner.
“We have a very tight relationship with Pilatus that is best manifested at the annual conference because pretty much the entire senior executive team comes regularly. So even when I was not a board member, I got to meet them, talk with them, hang out over dinner, and ask questions. So, there’s that kind of personal connection that they invest in. And we really value that.”
He continued, “If people have questions about, well, what service center should I go to? Or. You know, what’s the most cost-effective way to get something done? Do you have a reference for somebody? Who should I go to if I’m moving my airplane to a different region? All those kinds of things come from having personal contact with Pilatus and with the team that shows up [to events]. They also get on the fo- rum, interact with people, and answer their questions there as needed. They are a great asset to our members.”
Grant Boyd is a private pilot with eight years of experience in aviation business, including marketing, writing, customer service, and sales. Boyd holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s of Business Administration degree, both from Wichita State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Oklahoma State University. He was chosen as a NBAA Business Aviation “Top 40 Under 40” award recipient in 2020.
February 2024 / TWIN & TURBINE • 17