So how do we make the
airport more SOCIAL?

I dunno ... I have never seen any sort of social life at any of the
airports that I've been to, much less anything I'd think my wife would
be interested in. Most of the airports I've visited have been lifeless,
depressing places. If there was some sort of social life associated with
aviation, I think it could maybe get my wife interested in flying

Social activities at an airport are often spur of the moment things, and --
as a result -- hard to find. Many are put together by (and for) the
regulars that hang out there on a daily basis, which is truly a shame.
It's hard to grow aviation when it becomes ingrown like that, but I think
it's more a function of the airport environment than a reflection of the
people involved.

It's hard to maintain any contact with one another when hangars are
scattered and seldom attended. Heck, when I see a friend on the other side
of the airport, it can be a 15 minute walk just to get to his hangar! So,
we keep an old bike a the hangar, or we drive -- or we just wave.

What is necessary for a consistent airport social life is a central "spark
plug" to keep everyone together -- which usually means the FBO owner's wife,
or someone in the on-field pilot's organization. Our airport currently
lacks this spark plug (it's sorta us, but we just don't have enough time in
the summer to really make it happen), so our airport's social life is
sporadic and (sadly) not growing.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"