On Nov 25, 9:29 pm, wrote:
General aviation is under attack: Many 'forces' would like it to go to
the dust bin of history.

Aircraft charter services, fractional ownership etc is growing leaps
and bounds and as such, more than EVER, FBO's are LOADED with NON
FLYING persons waiting to be picked up for a charter or picking
someone up from one.

I have noted MANY pilots getting out of a 'GA' airplane with the
'DUI' look: you have seen them, Ratty shorts, Stupid logo 'bad
taste' TEE shirts, GOOFY hats looking the FOOL that they ARE!

The NON FLYING Individuals at the FBO's see this and the PERCEPTION
to them is this 'TRASH' is flying in the SAME airspace, airport,
as they and their family!!! ...... Wondering if they( slouchy GA
pilots) are LOADED or high on something!

A Pilots Uniform to the NON flying public conveys a: WELL TRAINED
PILOT...... PERIOD!

They DO NOT understand the difference between a 'private' pilot or an
ATP pilot all they understand is WHAT THEY SEE:

PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING!

I fly 450 hours per year for my business and I am in Uniform when I
fly

as I am a WELL TRAINED and very COMPETENT pilot:

When I walk into an FBO I am doing MY PART CONVEYING that FACT
to the NON FLYING public!

Comments????

Excellent point.
Although, looks can be deceiving.
I am just a rookie pilot who has only had his pilots license since
1984 and only around four thousand hours. My ratings include
Commercial, CFII and MEI.
I have instructed, flown in a part 135 operation and for private
corporations.
Many people come to me for Flight Reviews, IPCs and general tune up
flights. Most of these people dress in a streetable walk into the
bank for a loan manner. The ones who come in looking like punks are
usually not the sharpest knives in the drawer.
As far as keeping ones self clean during a preflight, it is easy to do
with a little attention to details. I carry a pair of disposable
Nitrile gloves with me. These gloves are blue and look like a Smurf.
They do get a few comments but that is ok with me. I think they look
strange also. These gloves are great because they keep any oil or
fuel off my hands.