Year End Ramblings

Well 2011 is almost in the bag.  For our family and business it has been a memorable year.  While the business continues to be affected by the terrible economy, which our political leaders seem incapable of doing anything positive about (while they continue spending our grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's money), at least we had a profitable year.  In the recreational aviation business turning a profit in this economy is considered a success.  So I am thankful for a successful year.

I am very thankful for those of you who were our customers this year and made the year blessed.  Whether you purchased parts, intro flights, training, or a plane; you all made this year a good one.  All of you are part of Precision Windsports' growing family of recreational aviators.

In looking back we were sorry to see Sun 'N Fun attendance continue its downward trend (SNF 2011 and SNF 2010).  Not surprised, but sorry nonetheless.  Paradise City used to be such and dynamic and festive place.  Now it is like watching an old friend dying.  I'm not sure if it is resurrectable in its present form or not.  Sun 'N Fun has changed management, so maybe the new blood will be able to breath some life into Paradise City.  That clearly was not a priority of the previous leadership.  Our plans for this coming Sun 'N Fun are still up in the air.  If we decide to go we will let you know in the February or March newsletter, so stay tuned.

One of the bright spots of this year's Sun 'N Fun experience (besides seeing old friends) was the introduction of AirBorne's T-Lite Part 103 trike.  What a joy this little aircraft is to fly.  It loves to soar and is the most docile aircraft I have every flown, and yet it is still maneuverable and performant.  If you are looking for the essence of simple flight unencumbered with FAA certificates and registrations, then this is an aircraft worth considering.

On the flip side we attended a fly-in of light and GA aircraft in Pennsylvania in June (Father's Day) that was filled with the kind of life reminiscent of Paradise City.  Lots of planes, lots of pilots, lots of flying, and lots of sun.  What a great time we all had.  I look forward to doing that again this coming Father's Day.  We tried to organize a repeat this last September but got rained out.  Mother Nature always has the last word when it comes to aviation.

Another first for the year was the Lynchburg Airshow with the Blue Angels.  While we didn't display our aircraft at the show we had a number of perspective customers come to see us while attending.  Next time (Memorial Weekend, 2013) we may display but this show we were so busy helping to plan, organize, and manage it that we just didn't have the time.  We sure had a super group of volunteers to make this all happen.  That is a common theme at airshows -- great volunteers.

Another bright spot was a scouting trip my family took to Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho. We spent a few weeks touring those states to not only take in the great sights amidst majestic mountains, but to explore the possibility of opening an extension of our business in one of those locations during the summer months.  People from all over the country come to the National Parks looking for unique adventures.  We could give these explorers two adventures for the price of one: the park we fly over and an introduction to the wonderful world of triking.  Roughly 10% of all intro flights turn into pilots, so this may be an exciting way of getting more people into triking. We'll see what the future holds, but great starts often begin with exciting possibilities.

While training is still below pre-economic crash days, we still got in lots of hours training some fantastic students.  We want to especially recognize Kurt from Alabama and Fernando from Washington, DC who bought and soloed their own aircraft this year.  To fly your own plane is the culmination of a pilot's dream.  These two are flying their dreams.  I also want to congratulate our son Jeremy who earned his Weight-Shift Sport Pilot's certificate. Blue skies to all of you.

So in looking back, we are very thankful for the year we've had.  While the road continues to be a bit bumpy, we have made some great friends, and we have had another year of flying.  Does it get any better than that?

Thank you Lord for the gift of your Son, my family, my friends, and of flight in that order.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,
Terri & Beth Sipantzi