How many years—decades, even—have the pundits predicted that the global economy is coming? It’s no longer coming, folks. It’s here.
Nowhere is this truer than aviation. Airplanes, engines and avionics are built all over. China is—according to all the experts—the biggest market and, at the same time, the biggest competitor.
Airlines partner with each other worldwide. I get “invitations” to aviation trade shows all over the world. (I’d go to all of them, but they want me to pay my own way.)
It is rare, these days, to buy anything in aviation—from basic to highly sophisticated—that is made totally in the U.S.A, or, indeed, any other single country.
Being a devout believer in the free market, I think a global economy is a good thing. Others think it’s terrible. Truth is, it doesn’t matter. It’s here, it ain’t going away and you can ride this horse or be ridden by those who do.
BTW—have you noticed that the space race now includes private competitors? Maybe the universal economy is well on the way.
Caveat emptor, folks. Jump on or fall off, but do it quickly. This trend is accelerating like crazy.
About the Author
Ralph Hood
Certified Speaking Professional
Ralph Hood is a Certified Speaking Professional who has addressed aviation groups throughout North America. A pilot since 1969, he's insured and sold airplanes at retail and distributor levels and taught aviation management for Southern Illinois University.
Ralph Hood is also an award-winning columnist (he writes for several publications), a salesman and sales manager (he sold airplanes, for crying out loud!), a teacher (he taught college-level aviation management) and a professional public speaker who has entertained and enlightened audiences from Hawaii to Spain, and from Fairbanks to Puerto Rico.
- Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), National Speakers Association
- Past member, National Ethics Committee, National Speakers Association
- Past president of Alabama Speakers Association
- Member, Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame
- Past National Marketing Mentor, AOPA Project Pilot