Specially equipped general aviation aircraft are used to conduct wildlife surveys, map wetland losses and soil erosion, follow bird migrations, inspect oil and gas pipelines, and fight forest fires. Light planes and helicopters have revolutionized law enforcement and are used to patrol highways, apprehend suspects, back up ground units, monitor borders, and locate lost children. The aircraft are used, as well, in airborne traffic reports to television and radio and their millions of commuting listeners. Urban planners and engineers use them to conduct aerial surveys for road and building projects. General aviation flies important documents and overnight packages to offices, factories and individuals.
Airlines increasingly rely on general aviation as the source of new career pilots.