Intermezzo: A Continuing Look At The Obstacles We Face
Aero-Analysis/Commentary by James R. Campbell, ANN
Editor-In-Chief/Rabble-Rouser
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out
how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have
done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who
strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again,
because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who
knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends
himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end,
the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he
fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place
shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither
victory nor defeat."
Teddy Roosevelt, from his
"Citizenship in a Republic" Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris on April
23, 1910.
A few weeks ago, I started this magnum opus in order to define
and discuss a number of problems plaguing aviation and the possible
solutions or ideas that might help us get past the current morass.
We’ve covered some intriguing ground and the response
I’ve had from ANN readers has not only been enormous…
but inspiring, thought-provoking, informative,
educational, and just plain ‘really cool
stuff.’
Why We Fly -- Ultralights!
I’ve got some really tough ground to cover in the next few
days as I pick this series up (having taken a break for the
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta last week—AMAZING!!!), but I
thought an ‘Intermezzo’ made sense at this juncture to
simply step back and discuss WHY we even need save aviation at
all.
As previously noted, we need to realize a few things first and
foremost… that if we don’t do something to fix this
mess, this industry will suffer permanent damage to a point where
recovery may become impossible… and that this is an
industry that is worth saving -- something that it should NEVER
apologize (or have to) for fighting for its survival and eventual
recovery.
Why We Fly -- Biplanes!
To many outside the complex atmosphere of aviation, this may
seem a fool’s errand… they will say that there are far
more important things to be done with our lives and our resources
than to worry about ‘silly airplanes”… and,
technically, they’re right… until you look at life as
a whole construct and add up all the facets that keep us striving
from one day to the next to see that our future might somehow be
better than our past.
So… Why save aviation?
I mean, really, why should ANYONE give a damn?
Why We Fly -- GA!
I don’t need to tell you that there is so much in this
world that deserves attention and care and study... war, cancer,
fear, racism, greed, poverty, hatred and all manner of serious
tribulations that tower over the comparatively paltry concerns of
aviation on any credible scale I know of...
ANY scale, but one.
I speak of that which makes one seek answers to all the problems
noted above... the motivating force within us all that makes us
seek change and allows many of us (most of the time) to live a good
life. Too many people lead lives of quiet, futile, pointless
desperation… but not most aviators… not a by a long
shot. For me, the things that make putting up with all of life's
perils are made worthwhile each and every time I fly... or think of
flying... or even simply share my thoughts about flying... with a
flyer... or someone who may someday be a flyer. My life has been a
rich one... in more ways than I can express... but flying is a
vibrant, brilliant lens through which I view the world and it gives
me uncommon clarity from which to not only live my life but
inspires me to be of service to others in the process.
Why We Fly -- Warbirds!
Flying gets me where I want to go, it challenges me without
respite, it brings me great joy, it shows me the beauty of the
world and sky and stars, it is a comforting thought in every aspect
of my life--in knowing that I can be aloft among the clouds in but
minutes... and most of all, it is a place where I can be at peace
and sort out my world and look down (and up) upon God's greatest
works... and it is where I can talk, really talk, to
Vicki...
For me, it is, indeed, SO worth saving… and growing.
Oh yeah, don’t get me wrong, we can come up with all kinds
of practical reasons for seeking better times for aviation…
the jobs that the industry provides or affects, the people who are
able to do business because an airplane can get them to where they
need to be, the lives saved or improved as a result of the
high-speed that aviation offers to those who need something or
someone to be someplace in a hurry… or else, and all manner
of good solid, verifiable practical reasons that sound really good
when iterated in an intelligent manner.
Most of all, aviation is a multiplier… adding to and
improving everything it touches… personal, professional
– you name it. Good, solid, compelling, sensible reasons,
all… really…
Why We Fly -- Bizjets!
You can fill your own reasons in here (and please do!)…
but I have no doubt that each and every one of you that loves to
fly and be a part of the aviation world has equally powerful
reasons to keep this a pivotal part of your life – reasons
that make sense and empower you to deal with all the crap that the
rest of the world slides your way.
Yes... it has all these practical aspects to speak up for it,
but to be honest, I believe ultimately, in human flight (and the
industry built around it) because it allows us to transcend all the
pains and restrictions of life and exchange them for moments of
amazement, joy, and achievement. And when we finally transcend all
the ills of the world, it is passions like that we feel for flight
that will have given us the strength to truly reach our potential
and to appreciate it all the more when we finally do.
Why We Fly -- Rotorcraft!
Let me leave you with a ‘moment’ that represents the
spirit of this tome better than any in recent history. At the 2010
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, ANN’s Nathan Cremisino, Ashley
Hale, and I boosted our weary buns out of the sack at the tender
hour of 0400 each morning in order to enjoy a celebration of what
is truly aviation’s ‘roots’ – Hot-Air and
Gas Ballooning.
On the North side of ABQ, hundreds upon hundreds of balloons
gathered to set-up, inflate and fly as the sun reached out with
tendrils of raw sunshine over mighty Sandia Peak… and people
from all over the country, by the tens of thousands, walked freely
among these aeronauts, carefree and inspired, as balloons and
balloonists prepared to take flight with immense excitement in the
wee hours of the morning. There was joy… there was
excitement… there was curiosity… there was
camaraderie… there were as many bright and positive emotions
as there are stars in the sky… all because of a unique
celebration of flight that has no equal anywhere on Planet
Earth.
Why We Fly -- Balloons!
Eyes craned skyward, the whoosh of blazing burners lofted
balloons emblazoned with all the colors of the rainbow -- while the
true roots of the wondrous world of aviation reached out and
touched hundreds of thousands of people from all over all the world
by doing one wondrous thing – FLYING!
But… one emotional image stands out to me… it was
that of a young Mother with a very small child in her arms near the
launch of ‘Hamlet’ (a ‘Special Shapes’
balloon). This Mom was all smiles and giggles and enraptured with
the thrill of standing amidst the towering spires of hundreds of
balloons yearning for their place in the sky… she had the
broadest grin and was obviously entranced and enthralled with the
kaleidoscope of wonders taking flight around her -- but it was her
tiny daughter… only a few months old, with wide eyes still
all puffed up and tired from being awake at such an early
hour, her tiny finger pointing at the skies around her, with an
excited tone of unintelligible sounds (mostly laughter) that showed
that she was easily just as enthralled as her Mom. They each shared
a moment, being a part of the hope and promise of the world of
aviation… and for those precious iconic minutes, they were
seeing a world that was ‘all possibility’ and devoid of
anything that could possibly rob them of their wonder.
'Hamlet' In Flight
It was a perfect expression of joy… courtesy of we, who
fly.
Aviation, in each and every one of its incredible facets, oft
affects much of the rest of the world the same way… and
it’s up to us to make sure that tomorrow’s children
need never live a life in which the joy and potential of aviation
are not within their grasp.
Aviation is indeed worth saving… so say I.
Next… let's pick this narrative up and
look at a few more of the problems we face… including a few
that may actually present themselves as a blessing in disguise - IF
we recognize what it might take to make the changes necessary to
rebuild aviation and start it on a new, bolder, revolutionary new
path.
More to follow in the coming days… Stay
tuned!
Jim Campbell (STILL Mad As Hell and Not Willing To
Take It Anymore)
Unrepentant Aero-Advocate, Professional
Trouble-Maker/Pain-In-The-Ass/Aero-Evangelist (YOU Choose which one
truly applies)
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.16.24)
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