Last year I reached my goal of landing in all 48 continental United States in my Turbo Cirrus SR22 Aircraft.  It was truly an incredible journey flying coast to coast across our great country, but something was missing.  That something was Alaska and Hawaii – the final two states I need to visit to complete my expanded goal of landing in every state, not just those in the continental US.  I’m thrilled to announce I’ve decided to go for it!  Life’s too short to sit on the sidelines, so this summer I’ll be flying from Florida to Alaska.  The flight will take 36 hours round-trip and cover roughly 6,600 miles.  After departing Anchorage, I’ll sit back and relax as a passenger going across the Pacific to Hawaii to pick up another Cirrus in Maui.  The following day will be filled with a magnificent flight enjoying the sights of the Hawaiian islands from above… and of course, my final landing to complete my 50 state adventure!  Stay tuned for more updates as I make this goal a reality in just a few short months.

In March of 2011, the Department of Transportation made a shocking change which eliminated the Blocked Aircraft Registration Request (BARR) program.  The BARR system enabled personal and corporate aircraft operators such as myself to block tracking of our aircraft so that they couldn’t be tracked by anonymous users with nothing more than a web browser.  Once dismantled, competitors and random people online could see every move we made in our aircraft, the equivalent of allowing someone to go online and see the movements of every road you take and location you visit in your personal or company vehicle.  Obviously, this not only caused quite a stir in the aviation industry, but also had much larger implications for society as a whole if this same principal of complete online visibility was applied in the future to other types of vehicles.  Our basic right to privacy had been eliminated, but fortunately, there were numerous industry groups ready to battle this misguided move by our government.  Among those groups were the NBAA (National Business Aviation Association), the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) and the EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association).

Throughout the course of the BARR fight, I spoke with numerous media outlets to help explain why this change was a poor decision and how it would affect small businesses such as my own.  I was also in contact with numerous political leaders, urging them to work towards reversing this wrong that had been committed against so many people and businesses such as my own.

On November 17th of 2011, I got an early Christmas present when I received word that the BARR fight was over – WE WERE VICTORIOUS!  I was absolutely thrilled to say the least.  Congress stepped in and reinstated the BARR program which sent a clear message that the rights of privacy were still important to the American people and businesses.

I certainly very thankful and appreciative to each of the aviation industry organizations who worked so diligently to protect the rights of aircraft owners and operators everywhere.  I’m also very appreciative of our elected leaders who did the right thing by ensuring the privacy of the citizens and businesses they represent remains protected.

Interview #1

After the victory was announced, I was honored to be interviewed for NBAA’s Flight Plan Podcast with host Pete Combs. You can read a full article, Congress Reinstates the BARR – What’s Next? by clicking here.   At the bottom of the article there’s the full audio portion of the interview.  I’ve also included a link directly to the audio interview here for your convenience.

Read the Full Article at the NBAA Site:  Congress Reinstates the BARR – What’s Next?
Listen to the Full Audio Interview:  Listen Now

Interview #2

Additionally, as a follow-up to this story, Pete Combs did another segment during his 2011 year in review series.  You can read the full article, BARR Battle Figured Prominently for Industry in 2011 by clicking here.  At the bottom of the article there’s the full audio portion of the interview.  I’ve also included a link directly to the audio interview here for your convenience.

Read the Full Article at the NBAA Site:  BARR Battle Figured Prominently for Industry in 2011
Listen to the Full Audio Interview:  Listen Now

Thanks again to everyone who worked so diligently to make this victory possible!

General aviation taxes.  They’re collected each time I fly.  From the moment I start the engine of my Turbo Cirrus SR22 Aircraft until the moment the blades stop spinning, taxes are being collected via the use of an aviation fuel tax.  If I fly a long trip where I’m likely going to be using more air traffic services, I burn more fuel, and therefore I pay more taxes.  If I make a quick hop to see a customer closer to home, I’ll likely use less air traffic services, burn less fuel, and therefore I pay less.  Simple.  Effective.  Proven.  It’s perhaps the most brilliant fair tax in effect today by our federal government.

What disturbs me is the recent proposal by the Obama administration to implement a new type of user fee which would negatively affect the general aviation community.  The proposal calls for a $100 fee to be paid for each business flight.  That means whether I’m flying to Miami or Memphis, I’d pay the same fee.  This simply makes no sense since there’s no correlation between my actual aircraft usage and the amount of revenue collected.  To make matters even worse, a whole new bureaucracy would need to be created (and paid for) simply to collect these new “use taxes.”  This is a bad solution to a problem that’s already been solved.  The current system isn’t broken, so let’s quit trying to fix it.

Beyond the unfair nature of the proposed user fees, I think it’s also important to note the negative effect these fees will have on our economy.  Take for instance my own company’s use of our general aviation aircraft.  We use our Turbo Cirrus SR22 to visit customers throughout the country.  It allows us to visit multiple customers in a single day, often turning three days of travel into one.  We’re able to see more customers, make more sales, grow our business, hire more employees, and better serve our customers so they can grow their businesses.  It’s a win-win scenario for everyone involved.  Our Cirrus has allowed my small business to grow which has a positive effect on the economy.  If these new user fees are enacted, it will mean a substantial increase in costs to our company.  This will stifle our growth, thereby stifling our contribution to our community and to the economy.  Our company isn’t unique, there are thousands of others just like us throughout the country who rely on general aviation which will be harmed by this proposal.  This proposal is simply bad for general aviation, bad for business and bad for our economy.

I recently spoke with Pete Combs, host of the National Business Aviation Association’s (NBAA) Flight Plan Podcast series, to voice my concerns.  He wrote a great article explaining the numerous flaws of the new user fee proposal, along with an audio interview which includes excerpts from our conversation.

You can read a full article, Industry United in Thwarting Latest User Fee Threat by clicking here.   At the bottom of the article there’s the full audio portion of the interview.  I’ve also included a link directly to the audio interview here for your convenience.

Read the Full Article at the NBAA Site:  Industry United in Thwarting Latest User Fee Threat
Listen to the Full Audio Interview:  Listen Now

Click the image above or click here for a larger version version of my flight map.

I’ve recently landed my Turbo Cirrus SR22 Aircraft in all 48 lower United States which was quite an amazing adventure.  Along the way I attended countless business meetings, conferences and events… and I had an absolutely incredible time every step of the way!  There is simply no better, safer, or more comfortable way to travel and see the country than from a state-of-the-art general aviation aircraft.  Those of you who’ve followed my progression from a rookie pilot who did touch-and-goes on the weekends to an avid coast-to-coast flyer have likely heard me ask the rhetorical question, “Where can you find a product that changes your life?  That truly changes every aspect of what you do and who you are?”.  It’s an easy thing to come up with a memorable catchphrase, yet it’s another thing entirely to actually experience the benefits of it.  The Cirrus Aircraft is that product and it truly is phenomenal!  There’s no doubt in my mind if it weren’t for this airplane I would have never been able to see so many amazing sights or accomplish so many great things throughout the country.  I’ve built stronger relationships by being face-to-face with my customers and suppliers, grown my business significantly, lived a better and more fulfilling personal life and have had the pleasure of waking up each morning loving what I do.  It truly feel like I’m living a dream each and every time I take to the skies and experience the joy of flight!

I captured my journey in photographs along the way which I’ve put into the collage you see above.  I tried to incorporate unique elements into a number of the states from the images taken from high above in my Cirrus.  Feel free to explore the large version and you’ll likely recognize a few spots.  You can view various photo sizes of my flight map below (an original 61mb high resolution version is also available upon request):

Small (63k)
Medium (338k)
Large (7.6mb)

While this has been an great adventure, the most spectacular part of it all is I get to visit many of these places again and again, each time being just as magnificent as the last.  Thank you to all of my customers, suppliers, family, friends and co-workers who have been with me along the way.  Without you, and without the wonderful people at Cirrus Aircraft, my spectacular maintenance team at Air Orlando Maintenance, the great folks at NBAA and AOPA who work tirelessly to represent the positive impact of general aviation, and the friendly faces at Showalter Flying Service who always welcome me home with a smile after each of my journeys, none of this would have been possible.  I’m certainly very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given and cherish every memory made along the way.

The aviation trade show season is upon us and the I hope that you’ll plan on joining me at two great aviation events which are happening soon.

The first is the 2011 AOPA (Airplane Owners & Pilots Association) Aviation Summit which is being held in Hartford, Connecticut from September 22nd-24th.  I’ll be speaking at this event regarding utilizing general aviation aircraft for business purposes.  You can find out more information and register this event by visiting:  http://www.aopa.org/summit/

The next event is the 2011 NBAA (National Business Aviation Association) 64th Annual Meeting & Convention which is being held in fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada from October 10th-12th.  I’m an avid fan of the great work the folks at the NBAA do each day to promote the use of general aviation and know this will be a fantastic event.  You can find out more information and register for this event by visiting:  http://www.nbaa.org/events/amc/2011/

I’ll see you soon at both of these not-to-be-missed aviation events in Hartford and Las Vegas!

Update: I’ve completed my coast-to-coast adventure!  There’s a new blog post available by clicking here which will take you to a flight map I created using pictures from each of the lower 48 states.  It also includes my commentary on Brad’s Flying Adventure Across America.

Here’s my original posting of this blog entry:

This morning I’m departing the Denver area for meetings throughout the Northwestern US.   The adventure will take five days and will last until next Friday when I return to Denver for a few days before heading back to Florida.

I’m no stranger to traveling extensively, but this trip is different.  Upon landing in the state of Washington, I will have landed at all 48 lower United States in my Cirrus SR22 aircraft!

I’ll be updating my progress over the next few days as I knock the final states off my list.

Update #1: Time for liftoff… The adventure begins!

Update #2: Three down, only two more to go!  Beautiful flying throughout the mountains in Montana today.  You can click on the pictures below to make them larger.

Update #3: Forty-seven down, only one to go!  Victory is in sight!

Update #4: Victory at last!  As the wheels of my Cirrus SR22 gently touched the runway surface in Washington State, it felt wonderful knowing I had just completed my goal of landing my Cirrus in all 48 lower United States.

Final Update: I’ll be providing another post with a much more detailed recap of my adventure to across America within the next few days.  It’s been an amazing ride and I really look forward to sharing it.  Tonight however, I’ll be putting down the laptop (and the airplane keys) to have a celebratory dinner instead.  Rest assured though, tomorrow I’ll be right back in the cockpit, headed back across the magnificent Rockies to see the great folks at XJet as I start making my way back east.

Safe and Sound: Safe and sound back in the beautiful XJet hanger in Denver, Colorado!

Bonus Picture: I couldn’t resist sharing this amazing picture which I took as I crossed over the border of Utah into Colorado at 17,000 feet.  You can click on the picture below to make it larger.

Now that the CAIGA-Cirrus merger is complete, I’m very optimistic that the production schedule for the new Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet will get a big boost.  I’m currently #75 in line for delivery once production begins and I couldn’t be more excited.  They already have a test aircraft in operation which is stunning, both in appearance and performance.  This aircraft is a game-changer – providing a true owner flown personal jet at with an operating envelope that’s well suited for this environment.  My current Turbo Cirrus SR22 has been an incredible asset to my business and I have no doubt the Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet will help to take it to even greater heights – and get there even faster than ever!

Below is a quick video showing off this beautiful aircraft.  Soon it will be more than a vision, it will be a reality…

Update:  I’ve completed my coast-to-coast adventure!  There’s an new blog post available by clicking here which will take you to a flight map I created using pictures from each of the lower 48 states.  It also includes my commentary on Brad’s Flying Adventure Across America.

Here’s my original posting of this blog entry:

Anyone who knows me knows that I love my Cirrus!  It’s been an incredible business tool which has taken my company to new heights, but it’s also provided an amazing view of our country along the way.  I recently realized that an upcoming business trip out to the far Northwest United States in just a few very short weeks will conclude my journey to all 48 continental states.  I’ve certainly met some great people along the way and have had some incredible adventures.  My Cirrus has not only made these trips possible, but has also made them extremely comfortable and enjoyable beyond what words alone can describe.  I could go into more details, but I’ll save those for my next posting when all 48 are inked in my logbook.  My goal is in sight, my Cirrus is fueled and ready to go.  Soon it will be time to lift off for a slew of successful business meetings and completion of my flight map, reminding me of how fortunate I’ve been to have such an amazing experience.

Feel free to click on the map above to make it larger.

I recently had the honor of being featured in an issue of Business Jet Traveler Magazine.  The article focuses on three companies who use general aviation to successfully grow their businesses.  I currently fly a Cirrus SR22 Turbo which has allowed me to have countless numbers of face-to-face meetings with customers and suppliers that couldn’t be accomplished in a timely manner using commercial airline service.  I also have a first year delivery order position secured for a Cirrus Vision SF50 Jet which will allow for more speed and more business opportunities.

You can read the complete article in Business Jet Traveler Magazine.

The article is also available:

Online: http://www.bjtonline.com/print-article/article/a-down-to-earth-look-at-flight-departments-2565.html

In PDF Form:  Business-Jet-Traveler-100110-Down-To-Earth-Look-At-Flight-Dept.pdf

I hope that you enjoy reading the article!

I recently had the honor of being featured in the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Business Aviation Insider Magazine.  This story illustrates my use of our company’s Cirrus SR22 Turbo aircraft to reach out to our customers and provide world class service at a moments notice.  At a time when many businesses are sitting on the porch waiting  for business to improve, we’re actually making it happen by visiting and connecting with our customers.  Anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely love technology – yet, I’m also a very firm believer that there’s no amount of technology that can replace the value of a face-to-face meeting.  Personal relationships are paramount to our success and our business aircraft enables allows us to take those relationships to new heights time and time again.

Here’s a little “behind the scenes” look at what went into the making of this article:   I met with a very talented individual named Dan Hubbard who conducted the interview for this story.  Dan is NBAA’s Senior Vice President of Communications and does his job extremely well.  He’s got the ability to ask thought provoking questions to elicit meaningful responses which truly get to the heart of the story.  In a matter of minutes I felt like I was having a conversation about business aviation with an old friend instead of doing a magazine interview.  The result speaks for itself as you read through how well the article turned out.  Dan was accompanied by Morgan Anderson of Morgan Anderson Photography who took the phenomenal shots you’ll see in the article.  Morgan estimated that he took over 1,000 shots over the course of an all day photo shoot.  Morgan is one of the best in the business and clearly loves what he does.  From the moment I met him until the time when we parted ways he constantly had multiple cameras snapping away amazing pictures.  Just like Dan, I found Morgan to be very friendly and really enjoyed spending time with him.  After a tour of our corporate headquarters in the morning, we headed over to Showalter Flying Service at Orlando Executive Airport.  The great folks at Showalter were extremely gracious allowing us the use of a conference room facility as well as their front ramp for the photo shoot.  Soon, we loaded up our bags and took off in the Cirrus headed to Atlanta together for a business meeting I needed to attend.  This allowed me to demonstrate my real-world use of business aviation which allowed us to have a full productive day in Orlando and less than two hours later be all the way up in Atlanta headed to a business meeting.  This type of productivity simply wouldn’t have been possible at any price without the use of a business aircraft.  While this article is unique, the story of our use of business aviation aircraft isn’t.  Each and every week we use our aircraft to reach out and get more business done.  The destinations change, but the end result is the same – business aviation simply works for growing a successful business.

You can read the complete article in the NBAA Business Aviation Insider Magazine.

The article is also available:

Online:  http://www.nbaa.org/news/insider/2010/0710/restaurant-equipment-world.php

In PDF Form:  http://www.bradleypierce.com/NBAA%20-%20Insider%20-%20Brad%20Pierce%20-%20REW.pdf

I hope that you enjoy reading the article as much as I enjoyed participating in the creation of it.  Again, a special thanks to NBAA, Dan Hubbard, Morgan Anderson, and all of the great staff at Showalter Flying Service for making this article a reality.