Getting the word out to the great unwashed about the virtues of LSA flight — even with the
inevitable “mainstream media” gaffes and the general buffoonery it typically displays regarding
general aviation — is an ongoing devotion for all LSA entrepreneurs, from manufacturers to flight
schools. *** Witness then this terrific video clip that enterprising young Brit’ (profiled in my
blog a few weeks ago) Charlie Thompson of Santa Monica Flyers
pulled off on Los Angeles’s local, venerable tv station, KTLA.
*** I remember KTLA and it’s veteran newscasters since age 5 (that’s six decades back, sports fans!)
The station has a long and storied history, so having it run a spot extolling the virtues of LSA
during its prime broadcast slot and also posted on the web is a real plum for sure.
*** Charlie wisely told the reporter the aircraft he was flying was the
PiperSport, although in fact he’s
training and doing demos in a CZAW SportCruiser.
*** There were the usual daffy phrases we’ve come to expect from “infotainment” news spots, such
as “This airplane is singlehandedly changing the face of the flying community,” and “Beat the hassle
of airports!”
*** To be fair, the reporter did a reasonable job considering how badly the media usually does with
aviation stories. For instance, he accurately reported on the virtues of LSA, using automobile
comparisons (what else from car-centric L.A.?): * low fuel burn: “at 40 miles per gallon, it beats
every car in mileage except the Prius!” * aircraft price: “It costs the same as a high-end Porsche!”
* and fuel burn again: “You can fly yourself to Las Vegas for only $45!” *** Ah, how I miss the Land
of Lah. *** But image is everything, likewise positive stories — any positive stories
— about general aviation. *** So even though we LSAers know that SportCruiser
(which the tele reporter happily dubbed “PiperSport Cruiser”) is essentially the same
airplane as the PiperSport, I still say “Well done, Charlie Thompson!”
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