There's a number of essential services that rely on small aircraft, even if you're not personally flying on them as a passenger. Lab specimens, search and resc

There's a number of essential services that rely on small aircraft, even if you're not personally flying on them as a passenger. Lab specimens, search and rescue, law enforcement, aerial photography for the "satellite" maps on your phone, power line surveying, transportation to remote parts of the country. Not to mention training for both future airline and military pilots. Just because they're not economical for passenger service, doesn't mean they don't have an important role. And again, I don't think you'll find many people in aviation who wouldn't like to move away from leaded gasoline. They're just waiting for the FAA to certify a replacement.