ATC2012: The Beginning Of The Next Generation Of Aviation
"Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead
OK… The hinting and innuendo must end sooner or later --
and guess what… It ends now.
Well, at least most of it does…
Over the better part of two years, as part of the amazing
experience it is to lead the Aero-News Network, I have been deeply
involved in hundreds (literally) of conversations with people all
over the aviation community about the state of our industry and the
future of the Aero–World. I have the great good fortune of
having gotten to know many of the movers and shakers in the
aviation industry, and among them I have found some of the most
innovative, aggressive, and original thinkers this industry has
seen since Wilbur and Orville left Kill Devil Hill.
The conversations have been long, detailed, arduous, and most of
all… Passionate. There are amazing people out there, with
our best interests at heart, and a true desire to see that the
aviation world climbs itself out of the spiraling miasma that has
taken over us all, and replace it with something new and wonderful
and durable and best of all -- aeronautically viable.
As previously noted, one thing has become painfully evident. The
old model of aviation, the one that which we know so well and love
so much and have wrapped ourselves around for decades on end, has
come to an end. I grieve for it and it will always represent some
of the best times of my life. I really don't want to belabor the
issue, but the plain (plane?) fact of the matter is that way too
many of us are trying to recapture something that has been
decomposing for years and simply must be cast aside once and for
all with fondness and gratitude and finality. Mind you; there was
nothing wrong with the old model… It was wonderful,
heartfelt, valuable, and it moved this lovely orb for decades on
end and brought so much to the lives of so many… But we live
in dramatically different times and the ways of old are simply
unable to survive in the turbulent future that unfolds before
us.
That was THEN… this is NOW.
So, what the hell do we do? Well, we could start
by getting off our collective asses and get aggressively involved
in crafting the next generation of aviation. REALLY.
While I may sound like a pessimist in some of the preceding
prose, I have to tell you that I'm becoming tremendously optimistic
about the next generation of aviation – at least so long as
uncommonly committed, knowledgeable, passionate flyers are there to
take a hand in directing its genesis. I have looked long and hard
at the concept of true change, something my friend, XPrize Founder
Peter Diamandis, calls "Transformative Change." By this, I mean
creating something that is not merely an extension or improvement
on past courses, but a radical and complete change in the overall
state and direction of a program or pursuit.
Peter understands change. He and Gregg Maryniak (both pilots, by
the way), two of my favorite people on the whole wide world, have
already been a part of truly revolutionary change… The kind
of change that has spread throughout the world. They have long ago
earned their ‘Merit Badges’ in Transformational Change
and have nothing to prove on this subject… they are masters
on the topic. And they’re on our side.
Jim Campbell Interviews Peter Diamandis
So are a lot of other smart, original, aggressive thinkers and
activists.
In addition to consults with Peter and Gregg, I have looked long
and hard at other cultural and industrial movements, and especially
those that have shown success in being effective in getting true
change instituted, or have proven the ability to fight for a cause,
and/or been able to educate and shape the minds of people
throughout the world. I've looked at widely disparate industries
and programs… Everything from ecological movements, to gun
advocacy programs (fascinating, both). When committed, passionate,
people with true vision are able to join together and work
effectively, amazing things can happen. That's what I'm counting on
as I introduce the most complex undertaking I have ever taken on in
my whole life… And it starts next March with a two day
Aviation Transformation Conference, ATC2012, to be held at the
magnificent St. Louis Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
ATC 2012 is meant to be the ‘line in the
sand’ for an industry that's truly committed to surviving the
21st century – and beyond. Along with some truly impressive
people (my heroes and friends) who I am incredibly proud to be
associated with, we will (first) convene an exhaustive two day
conference and invite upwards of 200 people to participate. The
people we invite are going to be the true innovators, activists,
and most passionate advocates of aviation… In many cases I'm
not talking about names that you know, or leaders that you've
listened to for years and years -- but the true heart and soul of
aviation. People with commitment, innovation, and incredible
determination – people who have made a success of themselves
and of their ideas, programs, projects and concepts despite outside
conditions that are, at best, miserable. We are NOT looking for
folks that are content to be a part of the status quo -- but for
those who are bound and determined to shake things up and instigate
a little revolution here and there. Most of all, I need people who
are willing to deal with the fact that NOTHING LESS THAN RADICAL
CHANGE will ensure any possibility of success for this effort.
We’re going to recruit amazing people (but please
understand that anybody can ask to be a part of this -- we
simply want to make sure that those who participate have something
to offer and are looking to get right to work), and we’re
going to ask for the very best input, thoughts, plans, and insights
they can muster.
By the way, in filling the room with so many opinionated,
accomplished people, we will publish a simple social compact for
everyone to follow so that we can leave our egos at the door and
get right to work. Personally; I’m giving serious thought to
adopting the only TWO rules of the old “Wrong Brothers Air
Force,” which (yes, I've cleaned it up a bit -- grin) simply
state:
1. Everyone will be accorded the rank of Colonel
2. No one gives a (deleted) what rank you are…
We will spend the first day working through a critical
examination of everything that is keeping the aviation world
stalled in its current failure mode. It will be a brutal
self-examination of everything wrong with this industry, and we
will spend that day dissecting the issues in exacting detail, so
that they can be categorized, prioritized, and grouped for
examination and potential resolution. It is going to be a very
fast-paced day, dozens of people will be tasked with presentations
and examinations of anyone of a number of issues that we may find
(issues that ultimately, God help us, may number into the
hundreds)… The rest of the conference will be called
upon to dissect, comment, and examine these "enemy" issues so that
by the end of the day, we not only have a solid, BASIC,
understanding of what's wrong with aviation but a path by which we
can discuss how we might START to resolve those issues over the
course of the coming years.
NO one is expecting miracles… And that first day will
serve as nothing more than an outline for the days, months, and
years to follow -- but mark my words when I say it's going to be a
tough, even unpalatable, day to stomach.
On the Second Day we will take some of the data we have
assembled from the day before, breaking those topics up into
certain conceptual groups, and assign our attendees to examine them
in detail (via workgroups) for most of the rest of the day. The
main thrust of the second day to is to seek initial solution paths
and recommendations for potential courses of action that might lead
(someday) to an actual fix or an alternate course of action. No one
expects even an aggressive effort on the second day to result in
instant solutions… That's a ridiculous idea, and everyone
we've consulted with is well aware of the fact that these are but
the first steps in a very long and arduous effort.
Remember that old saying about how the longest journey begins
with a single step??
Day Two is going to be just that. As the day nears its close,
each of these workgroups will present summaries of their
discussions to the whole conference -- and start preparing a more
comprehensive report that will be made available to the entire
conference within 30 to 60 days -- depending on the complexity of
the topic and the issues at hand.
Sadly; I've seen events like these before that have undertaken
critical examination and great introspection and produced AMAZING
data… And then they do nothing with it.
Tragic.
ATC2012 will not end there – it CAN’T.
At the end of the Conference we will announce an initial
structure for the foundation of a UNIQUE organization that will
undertake the solution paths suggested that day and start a path to
a necessary culture of change – a program that will
continually evolve to meet the challenges at hand, learn from the
data that we collect in seeking solutions to our issues, and will
be positioned to grow, over time, into a nexus for True
Transformative Change In The Aviation World.
WHEW… say that THREE times. Fast. I dare you.
The organization I speak of is going to be like nothing you've
ever seen before. Much of the work will be done online, using the
very best tools available for online networking, discussion,
problem solving and collaborative problem solving.
This part is really rather unique and aggressive, and one of the
best aspects about what I do, the people I meet, and the places
that I find myself working in; is that you are able to see how the
current revolution in communication and online networking can be
utilized to build a very lean, mean, and intensely
efficient organizational structure that allows people to
collaborate 24/7, on their own terms, wherever they are, and with
tools as ubiquitous as the iPhone in your pocket.
We'll have more to say about this later, but there's a
tremendous amount of really exciting work being done in this arena,
and while aviation faces tremendous challenges in the future, I see
the issues ahead of us as a threefold dilemma:
- Defining the change required,
- Seeking the means by which that change may be
accomplished,
- And building a community to support that
change.
Simple… right?
(…eek…)
I imagine that when people see my first mention of building a
new organization, that some competitive concerns and issues may
come quickly to mind among the alphabet groups…
But let me make this clear right from the start…
This organization competes with no one, BUT is willing to,
and will seek to collaborate with everyone, and
will be unlike anything that has been done in this industry
heretofore. Further, it makes no claim on the primary missions
espoused by other organizations, and will in fact, seek to find
ways to support every good work done everywhere, no matter who's
doing it or how they're doing it… So long as the aviation
community benefits and progresses because of it.
Why do I think this can work? Am I so arrogant as to think I can
solve the problems of an industry that have been simmering and
decaying for decades?
"I" can't... but "WE" can.
While I am supremely confident that this program can really make
a difference, there is no arrogance in that, in that I am going to
be just one person in all this and will actively seek and partner
with people I admire, respect, and trust beyond all measure. Many
of the people that are involved in this are not people I might
always agree with, and in fact, at times these are people I have
greatly disagreed with… But I have a respect for their
intellect, their commitment to the industry, and their innate
ability to rationally argue for their cause. As a matter of fact, I
expect that our greatest solutions will be found as a result of
polite and respectful discourse than blind agreement. AND, as a
matter of fact I don't see a whole lot of agreeing going on as this
thing starts out, but over a period of time, I have faith that the
commitment and intellect of the people involved will pioneer true
consensus and build the foundation for aviation's
next-generation.
I am stunned to be able to brag to you about some of the amazing
people that have stepped up early and committed themselves to
helping me get this started. And while some of these are names that
you know from their efforts elsewhere in the industry, and may even
be associated with some controversy, I assure you that these are
people whose passionate belief in aviation and the recognition for
change is real and genuine.
Phil Boyer
Among my most valued partners and advisors in this early stage
of the program, is retired AOPA President Phil
Boyer – whom just about everyone can agree is
someone who understands much of what this industry needs and can
add much to the discourse to come. This guy is the REAL deal.
Alan Klapmeier
Add to that other extraordinary flyers -- such as Alan
Klapmeier, who jump-started a GA Renaissance with the founding of
Cirrus Design, and the creation of a whole new generation of
revolutionary GA aircraft.
Michael Maya Charles (R)
I am tremendously pleased to have the aid and Council of Michael
Maya Charles, a pilot and aviation journalist who "gets it" and is
particularly good at providing a challenge to many important
arguments – an excellent skill to have.
Gregg Maryniak and Peter Diamandis
I am particularly amazed, after all these years, to still enjoy
the friendship, counsel, and insight of both XPrize founder Peter
Diamandis and the truly extraordinary fellow who actually inspired
the XPrize, Gregg Maryniak – while both these gentlemen are
passionate pilots and have made many a contribution to aviation,
they have also become true experts in understanding and creating
programs and movements that have changed the world. While I'm
counting on many of our attendees and experts to help us understand
the changes we need to make, I can think of few other men in the
world who can help us understand how to make that change
possible.
Doug Stewart
I have recently drafted an incredibly versatile spokesman and
activists from the flight training community, Doug Stewart, who
helped create one of the most hopeful movements I've seen in GA in
many years… The Society for Aviation And Flight
Educators (SAFE). Doug not only understands the
changes necessary, but has already gotten one hell of a start on a
critical aspect of the GA equation – namely flight training
and the continuing education of the aviation world.
Rich Davidson
Rich Davidson is a name known to many who love grassroots
aviation, but has never gotten near the respect he deserves…
This is a guy who is in touch with the true Mom-and-Pop aviation
community, who truly understands the passion of those flyers that
are hanging on to their wings by their toenails with a desperate
desire to keep flying at virtually any cost… As the owner
and operator of a magnificent grass strip in a fairly unpopulated
segment of Indiana, Rich provides an amazing refuge for GA flyers
and is a vocal and occasionally controversial advocate for everyone
who simply wants to fly. We can't do this without people like
Rich.
Vern Raburn
And we can't do it without some of the true instigators and
innovators… The people who keep spiking the punch bowl at
the aviation party… Guys like Vern Raburn -- who not only
took on incredible challenges in pursuing their dreams (and oft
dealt with the associated disappointments), but have true passion
for changing aviation in radical and unexpected ways, and whose
efforts, ultimately, change aviation for the better. Vern colors
outside the lines... we need that... a lot.
I have more incredible people to celebrate and brag
about… some amazing people (wow... no kidding) who are
giving me phenomenal counsel and are truly committed to partnering
with the ATC2012 program and the far more difficult organizational
challenges to follow. Over the coming weeks I'll be introducing
more of them to you, and more important than that, giving them the
opportunity via ANN to state their case, and start priming the pump
over the next few months as we lead up to the pivotal first week of
March.
We have a lot more work to do before that. And as a matter of
fact, if the majority of the work and research isn't done before we
even walk through the magnificent entrance of the St. Louis science
Center, this is going to be a real tough gig.
So, we’re at work… Right now… No kidding
(hence the reason that this piece is getting ready to post, LIVE,
at 0518 ET).
We will have more specific announcements and the specific dates
for the event at Oshkosh 2011 -- which is a fitting place to
discuss the details of ATC2012. And we will also be taking the time
to seek additional input, volunteers, and counsel from anyone who
is generous enough to give us their time and effort in order to see
this undertaking succeed.
Don't get me wrong, this is not an easy thing to do and I truly
expect it to be, personally, the greatest challenge of my
life… And I've got to tell you that I am spoiling for this
fight.
FAA2
By the way, though it will likely have to change to something a
tad less gimmicky, we’ve had a little fun with the current
working name for the organization we will form out of all of this.
The tongue-in-cheek working name for the solution-driven
organization that we will inaugurate in March just strikes my fancy
for the moment (yes, I have a weird sense of humor... sue
me)… I call it the Foundation For Aviation
Advocacy, and admittedly the initials are just hysterical
(though we call it
FAA2) and I just know
that there has to be a T-shirt made someday that includes those
initials and the slogan, "This Time We REALLY Are Here To Help
You."
But to be honest, at some point, someone might find a reason not
to take this whole thing seriously – so a slightly more
conventional name may need to be selected -- but I just want you to
know that even though we’re taking on something awesome, and
difficult, and challenging, and nigh-onto-impossible; that
we’re more than ready to have a little fun along the way.
I hope you will too.
In the meantime, the next 60 days will be spent in consultation,
and in building consensus among our community. If I, or some of our
associates, calls to chat with you about ATC2012
or FAA2, I hope you'll take the time to
give us your best ideas, insights, and suggestions, and if the
spirit moves you, I hope you'll join us.
Before I leave you, let me leave you with a little homework,
similar to that I left the other day in an earlier editorial
effort. And please know that I would greatly appreciate any and all
support you might render to us as we take this on… we need
all the help we can get.
Please take some time and tell me everything you can about the
following three questions:
-
What are the greatest problems aviation faces for the
future?
-
What are, yet, the greatest assets left to GA?
-
Who would YOU trust to help ATC2012 succeed... who do YOU think
needs to be at this conference... please name as many people as you
can think... and why they can help.
Thanks for bearing with me through this magnum opus… I
truly look forward to the days to come.
Blue Skies!
James Richard Campbell, ANN
Editor-In-Chief/Troublemaker/Unrepentant GA Cheerleader
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