The decade from 2010 to 2019 for General Aviation was one of tremendous technological progress, from computer watches to autonomous flight control. Manufacturers also launched some amazing new planes, including a jet from Cirrus, the incredible globetrotting Gulfstream G650, a remarkable diesel twin, the DA-62, from Diamond, among others. At the same time we in GA continued to fight against onerous regulation, often but not always successfully, while working to keep the activity we love open, accessible and fun, challenges that won’t end with a new decade but that will certainly be met by a population of passionate aviators focusing on what really matters, the joy and freedom of flight.
The Rise Of The iPad And Smartphone
Remember the time before tablet computers and smartphones? Yeah, we donât either. Well, at least not very clearly. In life, these devices have change the way we doâeverything from navigate the roadways to how we communicate with the relatives. In aviation, it has taken on an even greater role, but one big difference is this: In aviation, these handheld devices have made our flying easier, more convenient and unquestionably safer. Leading the way are a handful of incredible apps, including ForeFlight, Garmin Pilot and FlyQ, that put a ton of capability in the palm of your hand. Gone are the days when you needed to carry paper charts, find your way from airport to airport via needle gauges or learn only from word of mouth where the cheapest gas was. These devices rock, but remember, itâs only been in the last decade that theyâve taken the fore.