A dearth of open space suitable for urban development has combined with the need for cash-strapped municipal governments to seek short-term tax revenues, creating a "perfect storm" in the ongoing assault on general aviation airports.

Out in Oklahoma -- the birthplace of business aviation, according to state aviation director Vic Bird -- they practice what they call "airvangelism." "Airvangelism is an awareness campaign, letting average citizens know just how important the aerospace industry is in our state," Bird told B&CA. "The second part of it involves telling them how important their GA airports are. I simply make people aware of something they take for granted."

Mission impossible? Nope, mission accomplished, thanks to business aircraft. That's because the same qualities of flexibility, autonomy and performance that have traditionally endeared turbine-powered corporate aircraft to the business community are making them increasingly popular among governments, their agencies, research organizations and the military for "special missions."