If you’re not a geek like me, the link between Facebook, Twitter, Likaholix and other “social media” is probably a bit of a mystery for you. I hesitated a lot before writing this post because it could sound strange, out of scope and even disgusting to some of you and I don’t want to bore you. I decided to take the risk after getting in touch with Niklas Rahkonen via the “Friends of Aviation” group on Facebook. Nick is really motivated about encouraging aviation and meeting him was a real pleasure. I’ll post more about him and his activities later, but the way we got in touch was a perfect example of how social networks can help aviation.

Having “friends” on Facebook or following other twitters might seem futile and useless… One of the most frequent complain heard in flying clubs is that it’s no longer “as before”, that there is no more “club spirit”, that they become more “renting agencies” than “aviatior clubs”. At a time where the number of pilots is decreasing, communicating and acting as a community is more important than ever, but this requires time – exactly what most of us don’t have. Finding time to go flying is not always easy, and socializing is not easier. Is this really true ? If you think of socialization in the sense of what clubs used to be, yes. But if you think of it differently, it is exactly what Facebook, Twitter and other services offer.

Many of you got in touch with me via this blog and this is the thing I like the most in editing it. Discussing per e-mail, gmail chat, Facebook or twitter does not make the conversation meaningless. The new communication tools are worth what users do with them. Many persons I’m now in touch with are well beyond the area I could reach if I had to meet them “in person” and the exchanges we have are of equivalent (if not better…) quality as what I had with some club-members where I used to fly.

If you’re not convinced yet, here are some links for you. At first you can read what other aviation bloggers are publishing. If you’re a Twitter fan you can follow me or see who I’m following from my Twitter feed. Never heard of Twitter ? This is a micro-blogging service, where authors are limited to 140 characters pre “post”. Perfect for short news and readers who don’t have a lot of time. Facebook requires more time and personal involvement. After getting an account you can get in touch with persons you know, join groups, discuss about almost any topic and learn to know new friends. This is how I got in touch with Nick and many others, and I can’t imagine any other way this could have been possible. If you’re already on Facebook or want to join, have a look at the “PlasticPilot and friends” group or become a fan via the PlasticPilot page.

The last service I joined is the newly created likaholix.com where users can share things they like. It is still in alpha mode and on invitation only, but I received a handful of invites. Contact me if you want one – no need to have a website or a blog. I joined last week and hope that being an early adopter will facilitate the creation of a strong general aviation community there.

I can understand that you still regret the spirit of the good old times, just like some pilots regret the non-radio flying or the steam gauges panels. There is nothing wrong with that – Piper L4s, SuperCubs still fly superbly and will continue to offer hours of fun, just like aero-club bars. The social networking tools offer new possibilities to a new kind of pilots. Not better or worse, just different, and they answer the need for being a community. Join today.

PS: if you’re an aviation twitter or have an aviation-related facebook group or blog, don’t hesitate to leave a link in comment.