T'is The Season For… Politics

Like all events, there were a number of political issues in play. Most discussed was the recently concluded ASTM interim meeting where a number of completed standards for future Light Sport Aircraft (yet to be blessed by the FAA before that can legally be of any good) were being updated to reflect the published rules, and the increasingly heavy role EAA is playing in the process. After years of trying to kill off this program back in the good old ARAC days (when Sport Pilot was but a daydream), EAA seems to be trying to imply that this was their idea all along (and, indeed, we've heard their staffers say that) and that only EAA can play a productive role in determining SP's future course.

We see this as a mistake… especially after EAA over-hyped the unannounced rule over the course of several years and brought much of a struggling industry to its knees when buyers held off purchase decisions waiting for an "Imminent" rule that didn't show up for several years. Obviously, EAA smells some money to be made and is playing the Sport Pilot game as much to its advantage as it can… but this promotion is already wearing thin on vendors and building a sense of distrust and caution among the folks who have managed to survive to this point.

"Sport Pilot is an industry program… not an EAA program… and I'm afraid they'll run this thing into the ground for their own benefit," noted one LSA Manufacturer.

The "local" politics of the show were no less amusing. Somewhat of a home-grown event, a few of the Sun 'n Fun folks (based some 50 miles away) are reportedly grumbling about the event and throwing some verbal rocks in its direction… though they're known for such antics in regards to other Florida aviation events that don't necessarily worship at the Lakeland altar/ego-fest. Amusing. Overall; the event seems to have been well-executed for a first outing and if they can ever attract some serious populations down to Sebring, then they are likely to have a winner on their hands -- unless something better comes along. The only significant low-point we've seen has been in terms of event publicity. The event was publicized poorly (and seemed to rely on local, non-aviation media for most of its PR… which is pure foolishness) and getting information from some of its senior officials was like pulling teeth… and not nearly as much fun. Give this event some solid PR talent and things should improve dramatically. They have a year to get their act together on this… because without it there will not be a third chance. 

Will History Repeat Itself?

One other item of note… I had a fascinating conversation with a fairly well-known aviation educator who is planning to get involved in the Sport Pilot industry shortly (after the FAA sets the applicable standards, exams and the PTS for future Sport Pilots). When I ran into him, I expected a modest sales pitch for his upcoming efforts in this part of the industry… but to his credit, the conversation quickly turned to the need for expert, CRITICAL, analysis of this recently revitalized Sport/GA segment.

He generously cited the work we've done in the past to expose poorly designed or supported products (specifically the disastrous Mini-500 and similar stories) and the fact that that nowhere else in the industry was such coverage to be found until well after we had exposed such issues… and even then, only a scattering of barely critical coverage was seen. He was surprisingly critical of EAA's silence over the matter, as well as others in the know, and voiced the opinion that the future of Sport Pilot could be adversely affected if this kind of industry/editorial cowardice continued.

OK… he was preaching to the choir… but the way he brought it up and the passion he brought to the conversation impressed the hell out of me and made me revise an already positive impression of this guy in an even more positive direction. He was serious and he was right on target. The problem with his argument is that aviation editorial has pretty much been a beauty contest… with the only real differentiation between writers and stories a matter of who could dress up the brochure copy in the most interesting way. It's been that way (mostly) for decades… and one has only to see the crap that got shoveled our way whenever we did critical editorial to see why there was little personal incentive to change the modus operandi of an industry in love with hype. The few of us who tried to change this, paid a hell of a cost for it and got little to no support for the effort (and in fact, is one of the reasons that Sun 'n Fun has VOICED as a reason for their ban of yours truly--is that SCREWED-UP or what?).

One hopes that a new generation of sport and general aviation will promote a new generation of aviation journalism. ANN will stay committed to such a proposition and we hope others will follow suit… but our hopes are dim. Among the few aero-writers who covered the SAE was one who has voiced his fear of LSA's and "won't fly them" while promoting his marketing services to the vendors present (Excuse me… editorial ethics, anyone?), and a few others similarly "limited" in their ability to provide accurate/informed editorial material to an industry that will need it… desperately.
Sigh… Sermon Over. For now.

Back to the airplanes.

To Be Continued...

FMI: www.sport-aviation-expo.com