Features Operations
No Plane No Gain

For more than three months now, business aviation south of the border has been engaged in a spirited counterattack against its critics. Ever since the public humiliation of Detroit’s Big Three automaker executives in Congress last November, the industry has been fighting an uphill battle against much of Capitol Hill and the media.

Determined not to take it any more, the NBAA and GAMA reactivated the popular “No Plane No Gain” slogan and on Feb. 17 launched an impressive multimedia campaign to combat anti-business aviation sentiments.

The knock against business aviation has always hinged on the belief that private aircraft use in business is frivolous, extravagant and unnecessary. “No Plane No Gain” addresses that old chestnut head on, but then goes much further in fleshing out the totality of business aviation’s economic footprint.

The campaign is emphasizing studies and surveys that illustrate the value of business aviation based on current, quantifiable data, compiled by respected sources. Relying on this information, the campaign makes four solid arguments for policy makers and the public to consider: In the U.S., business aviation employs more than a million people, it connects communities with little or no commercial airline service, it helps thousands of businesses of all sizes to be more productive, and it provides emergency and humanitarian services.

These are things that those in the industry have always known, but the message is directed to those outside the community. “No Plane No Gain” is about public education. The campaign has run print and television ads, webinars, YouTube videos, and podcasts to get the message out.

At the centre of the campaign is the dedicated “No Plane No Gain” website: www.noplanenogain.org. This site is an exceptionally professional undertaking. In addition to outlining the issues, the site provides an aggregation of relevant information including news, events, press releases, studies and statistics.

Beyond the important educational information, the site offers a set of valuable tools for those who are in the industry. The “Resources” section of the site is an absolute must-visit for business aviation professionals. It includes some leg-up information for anyone called on to defend the industry, including advocacy tools, one-pagers, media tools, quick facts and more.

Under media tools, for example, there are ready-made and customizable letters to the editor and opinion pieces, along with interview tips. All of these tools are applicable and useful to Canadians, as are the four main issue points, all of which apply perfectly to Canada.

The root of all evil still remains the global recession and the impact of the congressional drubbing was probably more insult than injury. But it did create a catalyst for business aviation to get to work in telling the complete story about the industry. In the long run, that can only be a good thing. Be sure to visit www.noplanenogain.org .

Your feedback is welcome at dmccarthy@annexweb.com .