When editorial writers for some of the nation’s largest newspapers decided to scold business aviation for its excess in the down economy, chances are they weren’t referring to Richard Allen. In fact, it’s a good bet most didn’t know of pilots like Allen, who uses his Mooney as an indispensible tool to find the best candidates for some of the country’s most prestigious institutes of higher learning.

Allen owns RPA, Inc., an executive search firm that serves colleges, universities, and the non-profit sector. By using general aviation, Allen was able to base his business in Williamsport, Pa., an area severely underserved by the airlines, but rich with talent and cheap real estate.

Owning a business that requires you to go on the road often to interview candidates could be taxing. But with his Mooney, Allen says he’s able to meet with three clients at three different locations in one day. “I get to see people on their terms and closer to their home,” he said. “I can say ‘I’m yours for as long as you need me. The airplane doesn’t leave without me.’”

“There’s absolutely no question about the financial viability of the airplane,” Allen said.

When Allen’s team has narrowed down candidates to around six, it’s his job to interview them—quickly. With the Mooney, jumping from candidate to candidate is no trouble at all. One of his recent trips is a perfect example of the usefulness of GA compared to the airlines. Allen flew from Williamsport to Raleigh Durham Airport in North Carolina, to see a client. Later that day he flew to Knoxville, Tenn., to meet another candidate. The next morning it was on to Evansville, Ind., and then to Osage Beach, Mo., to meet candidates. Day three was a flight to Mason City, Iowa, for another meeting, and day four was back east to Philadelphia for a final meeting. That night he was home after six meetings in six cities in less than four days. Imagine doing that with the hub-and-spoke system.

Over the past 25 years, Allen estimates he’s flown 5,500 hours to see clients, interview candidates, and keep his business profitable and thriving. “There’s absolutely no question about the financial viability of the airplane,” Allen said. “There’s no way I could achieve the productivity I achieve or employ the number of people I do without the utility of GA.”

But living in a place like central Pennsylvania, where clouds hold the promise of ice and summer weather means thunderstorms, one would think GA isn’t viable. On the contrary, Allen said, his Mooney is more reliable than the airlines. “GA is better than the airlines with equipment and scheduling issues. My dispatch rate is better,” he said.

So the next time a nonpilot complains about the waste of business aviation, remind them of Richard Allen, a small business owner in rural Pennsylvania. While he may not fly a business jet, the productivity of his little Mooney is impossible to deny. — By Ian J. Twombly