Identification and Analysis of Key Barriers to the Utility of General Aviation

Barriers to the utility of general aviation were identified through a web-based survey of active general aviation pilots based in North America. An analytical travel mode choice model was also developed to examine further some of these barriers and their impact on general aviation utility. Several key issues emerged as being important to increasing the utility of general aviation transportation. Improved weather information as well as near all-weather capability for general aviation aircraft and better access to ground transportation at the travel destination would significantly increase utility. Furthermore, modifying the business model for owning and operating general aviation aircraft may be the best near-term strategy for lowering the expense of general aviation transportation. Analysis with the mode choice model also indicates that increasing the cruise speed of general aviation aircraft does not necessarily translate into an increase in the utility of general aviation transportation.