Top Trends in Aviation For 2018

The aviation industry is fast-paced and ever changing, so it may be hard to keep up with what’s going on. What should you expect to make headlines in aviation news this year? Here’s a look at the top trends in the aviation industry:

Mobile Apps

The whole world is going mobile, so it’s not a surprise that this trend has finally started to creep into the aviation industry. Pilots can now use mobile devices to make flying and maintaining their planes more convenient. For example, now pilots can order parts or tools they need for their planes directly from their mobile devices instead of having to visit the parts store in person.
Shopping isn’t the only thing that pilots can do on their mobile devices. There are a number of apps that pilots can use to make flying easier. CloudAhoy is an app designed to let pilots track every flight that they take. To use it, simply press start before you take off, and then press end once you’re back on the ground. The app will store all of your data so you can review it at any time.
AeroWeather is another app that every pilot should have on his smartphone or tablet. This app includes metars and TAFs in an easy-to-read format so you can quickly see what the weather will be like on your route. ForeFlight’s Checklist Pro is an app that allows you to create customizable checklists to help you make sure you’ve done everything that needs to be done before you take off. You can even create the checklists online and sync them to your smartphone or tablet so you don’t have to wait until the last minute to put your to-do list together.
Apps like these are making pilots’ lives much easier and flying more convenient, so this trend is expected to continue to grow in the year ahead.

Smart Watches

Pilots often bring a tablet or smartphone with them Many pilots are beginning to use smart watches such as the Apple Watch to help them while they’re flying. Each type of smart watch has different features, but most of them give pilots access to GPS, altimeters, and compasses. Pilots can get one of these smart watches for just a few hundred dollars, but if they want one with more advanced features, they may have to spend somewhere in the thousands.

Podcasts

If you ever have a little downtime, you might want to tune into one of the many podcasts that are taking the aviation industry by storm. Uncontrolled Airspace is a popular podcast hosted by Jeb Burnside, Dave Higdon, and Jack Hodgson, three pilots that discuss aviation news and various topics related to being a pilot. This podcast is aimed at small aircraft owners instead of commercial pilots, so you may be able to pick up a few valuable tips from these experienced pilots.
The Airplane Geeks podcast is another popular choice for people who love all things aviation. This two-hour podcast covers a wide variety of topics within the aviation industry, including breaking news, aviation history, and aviation news from other parts of the world. The hosts frequently invite aviation experts into the studio for interviews and will even field questions from listeners.
Listening to these podcasts in your spare time is a great way to learn more and hear about what’s going on in the aviation industry. Podcasts have taken off over the last year, so you should expect to see more pop up in 2018 that are related to aviation.

Plane Partnerships

Many people dream of owning their own planes, but a lot of them cannot afford to do so. That’s why the trend of partnering with other pilots to buy an aircraft has taken off over the last several years, and is expected to continue to grow in 2018. Splitting the costs of owning a plane with other pilots is a great way to realize your dream of having your own aircraft without breaking the bank. If you’re interested in this trend, be sure that you create a co-ownership agreement with your fellow pilots so you have everything in writing. The ownership agreement should include information on how to split the costs, who is responsible for paying bills associated with the ownership of the plane, and how to determine when each owner is allowed to take the plane.  You should also include information in the agreement on how to release one partner from his ownership duties if one party decides to back out of the agreement. Because everyone is contributing to the purchase of the plane, the other partners will need to buy this partner out if he decides to leave the agreement.

Young Pilots

The pilot population in the U.S. is growing older, which has led many organizations to develop programs aimed at attracting young people to the world of aviation. The Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program is targeted at kids between the ages of 8 and 17, and designed to inspire these individuals to consider becoming pilots. The program has been a success, and just last year, they celebrated flying their 2 millionth young person, which is a huge milestone. As more of these programs are introduced, you can expect to see a number of new young pilots taking flight.
Trends in the aviation industry come and go, but one thing that will remain a constant is the need for regular aircraft maintenance. If you own an aircraft, you will need Bright Work’s aviation approved polish to remove corrosion, oxidation, scratches, and water spots, and leave a deep shine. Regardless of what’s trending in the aviation industry, you can rely on Bright Work polishes to preserve the beauty of your plane!