"Dr. Billy Forbess prides himself and his staff for being on "the cutting edge" of new developments in dentistry. However, with a thriving Lexington practice, it can be difficult to miss several days at a time out of the office to attend conferences and educational programs. What's his answer to this dilemma? Skip time-consuming commercial travel with airport layovers, delays and poor connections by flying himself.
"Time is money," Forbess said. "Most places I can fly myself and be there quicker than commercial."
Forbess is part of what appears to be a growing trend of Kentucky business leaders who have become pilots and now fly for their companies. This group of fly-it-yourselfers cites timesavings, scheduling and ease of meeting with clients among the reasons they have taken to the skies.
Last year was a difficult one for commercial United States air travel. According to the 2006 U.S. Department of Transportation Air Travel Consumer Report, there were significant declines in quality of service on commercial carriers. This included misplaced luggage, and an increase in flight delays and cancellations. Security hassles were also cited, in part because of new rules.
Among major carriers at the bottom of the rankings were Delta Air Lines, Inc., US Airways and UAL Corp.'s United Airlines. Ratings were based on service categories including lost bags, bumped passengers, canceled flights and consumer complaints.
"Lexington can also be one of the more expensive markets," said Ron Cegnar, referring to commercial flights. As head of CEO Partners Inc., he flies about 20 weeks a year for his company. "You can often get a less expensive flight from Louisville or Cincinnati, but then you have the time and expense of driving."
Cegnar also said that being located in Lexington is very conducive to flying for business. "Within two to three hours you can be in many markets," he said. "Being able to fly yourself gives you great flexibility."
Mike Ammerman, vice president of Farmers Tobacco, started studying for his pilot's license last year when he determined that flying himself would be a major help to the Cynthiana-based tobacco company both he and his father, Bob Ammerman, help manage. He recalls needing to meet with suppliers in locations such as Bentonville, Ark., and Buffalo, N.Y. — "a 28- to 30-hour drive for a one-hour meeting." Even driving to Louisville or Cincinnati is a one-hour drive from the company's offices.
"We need to see our customers often," he said. "A lot of our travel is spur of the moment, and you pay through the nose for an airline ticket."
Ammerman currently flies a rental Cessna 172 and says flying himself has made a difference in their business. "Now I can visit two or three wholesalers, or make that many courtesy calls in one day," he said. "Before, I couldn't do that."
Ammerman learned to fly at Aero-Tech Flight School in Lexington. Located at Blue Grass Airport since 1971, it is "better known nationally than locally," according to Charlie Monette, the president and founder. The school has gained a national reputation for its outstanding safety record, Monette said.
The school has seen significant growth in 2006 and the first part of 2007, in large part due to individuals wanting to fly for business. They are also seeing the highest ratio of females studying to become pilots that they have ever had, Monette said.
About two-thirds of the hours flown by private planes are for business reasons, according to estimates by the Federal Aviation Administration. In 2005, hours flown in private planes for business reasons were up 12.5 percent from 2001.
"The public perception of general aviation has changed," Monette said. "It has really become a convenience. You always have a seat; you never lose your luggage."
Monette says business people tell him the number one advantage is timing — flying yourself is much more expedient. The second major reason is convenience.
To study for a pilot's license, a would-be flier must be 17 years of age, pass a medical exam, have at least corrected vision and be in generally reasonable health, Monette said. Coursework includes academic work in basic aerodynamics. Usually the training is self-paced, averaging three to four months, however Monette said he had one individual, a former member of the Air Force, who completed his training in 18 intense days.
Monette is an ATP and FAA pilot examiner and serves as a consultant to the aviation industry. Aero-Tech is the only certified Cessna pilot training center in Central Kentucky.
Chris Dancy, media relations director for AOPA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, says that since 9/11, his organization has seen a steadily growing interest in learning to fly for business purposes. AOPA is a pilot's membership group best known for its advocacy particularly in safety. It has 410,000 members, or about two-thirds of all pilots. The group also provides information for prospective aviators with a database of flight schools, tips on choosing schools and instructors at projectpilot.org.
Flexibility and time are the primary reasons companies give for having their own aircraft, he said. "For a trip of 500 miles or less, if you are flying yourself, you will probably save time over the airlines. For a business person, that's productivity time."
He also said while large commercial airports are often outside business areas, the smaller airports are usually closer to business, reducing ground transportation time and costs.
Dancy said this may only be the beginning of an escalating trend. The advent of very light jets that are much faster and need shorter runways has the potential to dramatically increase people flying for business in the next few years.
Many of the businesspeople in Lexington who fly also use their piloting ability for more than business purposes. Forbess has worked with "Angel Flight," a group of pilots who donate flights to transport ill people. He also flew to New Orleans as part of a group who donated their services at a special weekend clinic following Hurricane Katrina.
There are also intangible benefits that equal the business savings.
"The first time I soloed, it was such a great feeling," said Mike Ammerman. "You are forced to realize that you are in control, you're in charge — there is an amazing freedom in that."
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