Sport Aviation Marketing

General Aviation Shipments vs. Website Traffic

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) recently reported record setting numbers for deliveries in the industry. Cessna led with 187 shipments. Cirrus had the best-selling model (SR22), with 124, plus another 35 SR20s. Diamond Aircraft and Columbia 400 both shipped 46. Finally, The New Piper Aircraft shipped 39 aircraft.

So how do these numbers relate to the effectiveness of each companies website? Alexa.com is a free online tool that gives overall reach and page view statistics for popular websites. Here are charts for both website reach and pageviews for each of the top five manufacturers:

A few interesting things to note:

First, prior to January, Cessna really dominated reach and pageviews. In the last few months they seem to be losing their grip on both. Cirrus and New Piper have been steadily trending up while Cessna has taken some hits.

Second, Diamond and Columbia have equal sales and Diamond has been around a bit longer. Yet Columbia is making great improvements in both measurements while Diamond barely registers on the scale. Time for Diamond to step it up. I believe they redesigned their site not too long ago but it appears to be ineffective.

Third, this is anybody’s game. Cessna and Cirrus certainly have leads but they are not insurmountable. None of the current websites go beyond typical brochure-ware. If any one of these manufacturers were to decide to “own” the web channel from a marketing and lead generation perspective, they could accomplish it with a reasonable investment.

Alexa is a fun tool. Go play with it to see what you can learn about your own company and competitors.

[tags]Aviation Marketing, Aviation Website, Cessna, Cirrus, Columbia Aircraft, Online Marketing[/tags]

2 comments May 18th, 2006

Sport Aviation Industry Website Analysis Report Now Available as FREE eBook Download

Veer Interactive has released the Sport Aviation Industry Website Analysis report as a free eBook download (8.2mb, PDF). The report includes a 30 point analysis of 179 companies in the sport aviation industry. In addition, a search engine effectiveness study for each company is included with five category terms and five company specific terms for each.

The report also includes a 50+ page introduction that describes each of the 30 analysis points in detail with an explanation for each potential score.

The Sport Aviation Industry Website Analysis report was highly researched to provide relevant and useful information to business owners in improving their web presence to deliver real business value. All of the information included in the report is practical, accurate and actionable.

To learn more about the Sport Aviation Industry Website Analysis report visit the report overview. To learn more about the author visit: www.veerinteractive.com

[tags]Aviation Marketing, Online Marketing, LSA, Sport Pilot, Light Sport Aircraft[/tags]

Add comment May 2nd, 2006

listen in at local airport on 88.1

I just ran across an article titled “Aviation’s airwaves” by Alexa James in the Times Herald-Record. The story is about retired U.S. Navy Capt. Frederick “Fritz” J. Kass, Jr., an airport director in Montgomery, New York. Along with running a successful airport, Kass set up a transmitter that broadcasts pilot communications on an FM frequency of 88.1. He maintains the low-power transmitter as a tool to educate and entertain the airport’s neighbors. “I wanted to demystify the airport, and help the local people enjoy an asset they ultimately own,” he said.

What a fantastic story! As AOPA and others in the aviation industry focus on reaching out to new pilot prospects to strengthen our sport, Kass has already started. Small efforts such as this will lead to big results. Can you imagine if every general aviation airport in the country did this? I bet the one or two observers that I see parked at my local airport on a nice Saturday morning would start to multiply…

Nice work Captain Kass! We need more ideas like this.
[tags]General Aviation, AOPA[/tags]

2 comments April 24th, 2006

oregon aero redesigned website

Oregon Aero recently launched a fantastic new website. The general aviation industry should take note — this site raises the bar!

[tags]aviation marketing, aviation website, general aviation[/tags]

Add comment April 13th, 2006

sport pilot television

If the following characteristics describe your typical customer then this press release from Sport Pilot Television should be received with great interest:

• Male
• College Educated
• High Disposable Household Income
• Travel and Adventure Enthusiast
• Outdoor and Sports Minded
• Homeowner with vacation home and/or large plot of land

Right now it looks like Cirrus is the primary aircraft manufacturer sponsoring the show. With the reach of Sport Pilot TV expanding to 40 million homes it sure seems like a good time for others in the aviation industry to leverage the opportunity.

I haven’t had a chance to see the show but my hope, as a Time Warner customer, is that my house will be included in the expanded coverage.

[tags]Aviation Marketing, Cirrus, General Aviation, Light Sport Aircraft, Marketing Promotions, Sport Pilot[/tags]

Add comment March 18th, 2006