Hey Craig… How About A "Wine Summit?"
There is no shortage of strong personalities in
the world of aviation -- as a matter of fact, I think it's nearly a
mandatory character trait for anybody who takes on all the
rigmarole to become a pilot. And of course, it's not uncommon among
the rest of world of aviation, either. As a community filled with
people with such strong personalities, occasionally some of those
strong personalities tend to conflict… And THAT can
occasionally result in some real fireworks.
Big surprise, eh?
Still… there are two ways to look at conflicts in opinion
or operational strategy… the negative side tends to see such
challenges as a threat and hazard… while the truly
gifted understand that such challenges pose amazing
opportunities to educate others, as well as be educated by others
and (ultimately) develop a consensus among those with such
passionate beliefs.
In our own case, it’s no secret that I am not short on
strong opinions, and despite that, I enjoy having my opinions
challenged by those with interesting counterpoints, a proper
modicum of matters (a polite argument is NOT a fight, folks…
or shouldn’t be, anyway), and a true desire to engage in a
dialogue that enriches all concerned. I've never had much use for
those whose opinions are meant to overshadow others, and allow for
little or no counterpoint or disagreement. And mind you, as
outspoken as I am, I have had no shortage of interesting exchanges
with those who care to challenge a position I put forth,
editorially or personally.
In most cases, such challenges are a lot of fun… And I
have to tell you that some of the most rigorous challenges to the
positions, ideas, concepts, or arguments that I've put forth have
been some of the most educational moments I've had both as a pilot
as well as an aviation journalist. But sad to say, there are people
who see any opposing opinion or a challenge as an
affront… Rather than as a starting point for a true dialogue
about how disparate opinions can be used to educate each other and
benefit both as a result.
We find ourselves in something of that kind of thing right now
with the once mighty AOPA. For those of you who have followed
both ANN and I over the years, we were (up til a point nearly 3
years ago), one of AOPA's most outspoken supporters. We did so not
because we agreed with everything that AOPA was doing, but mostly
with the way that things were being done. Some of the best
"arguments" I've ever had have been challenges I have put to former
president Phil Boyer, who would fend off a challenge or a
counterpoint with tremendous expertise, insight, and a willingness
to listen to the opinions of others…
Even when he vehemently disagreed with me, I've had a wonderful
time arguing with Phil over the years, politely and respectfully. I
hope he's learned even a fraction from me that I have from him,
because engaging in an argument with him was always a pleasure and
a privilege no matter who
‘won.’ More important, I always felt it
was a worthwhile thing to do and was never belittled in the
process. You see, I was brought up to respect authority (for the
most part), but as part of that respect I was required to challenge
it on a regular basis -- to never sit idly by and accept the status
quo without making sure that I understood what it was about, and
either get to a place where I agreed with it, or made my
disagreements known. As a matter of fact, I've been taught that
they greatest mark of a citizen in any democracy is that
citizen’s willingness, ability, and readiness to inspect and
question the decisions of those in power.
Question Authority!
Mind you, not all of my opposing opinions have always been
greeted politely and I know I've annoyed the hell out of a number
of aviation's decision-makers over the years (Tom Poberezny and I
have shared a few laughs over that), but I find the true mark of
great leadership to be those who welcome the challenge and then
argue passionately and intelligently for the positions they choose
to take on. And yes, misunderstandings still occur when passionate
arguments take place… I remember getting into a pretty good
argument with Paul Poberezny many years ago over a story I didn't
even write, and when he understood that I wasn’t the object
of his concern, he apologized profusely, cracked a smile and that
was that. And the thing I've enjoyed most about arguing with Paul
over the years is that he'll give as good as he gets -- but when
the arguments done, the argument truly is done… And then
it’s simply time to smile, respect each other, and get on
with our lives. I won’t tell you how many of those arguments
with Paul I won over the years, but let's just say I've learned to
respect the man a great deal, and earned my "humility" merit badge
in the process. Paul is a heckuva gentleman…
So… What's this all about? While I find myself in a bit
of a quandary here, in that (as previously noted) our relationship
with AOPA has really soured. And the sad part of it is that every
time we've criticized them, every time we've pointed a finger,
every time we've had a gripe… It has been so that we might
prompt an organization that we have come to love over the years
into getting back "on mission."
Unfortunately, I don't think the current powers-that-be at AOPA
are really interested in any criticism from ANN, or just about
anybody else, from what I understand. This current organization
doesn't take well to any inference that they may be off track, and
has made that displeasure known in some pretty uncomfortable ways.
Further; this current AOPA seems to be quite insulated and more
interested in protecting its turf than protecting the world of
aviation. I find that tremendously disappointing… and
I’m particularly dismayed to see them actually getting in the
way of things that others might do to try to be a positive
contributor to the world of aviation. As a matter of fact, I am not
the only one to note that AOPA will throw some serious flak at
those with whom it disagrees or disfavors… even to the point
of getting downright nasty about it.
AOPA has not returned a number of calls we have made over a
number of topics for many months (with one exception) –
and we sure have tried to stay in contact. AOPA has become very
restrictive about media coverage of their organization, especially
editorial critique, and has gone out of its way to make covering
the organization, and its activities, fairly difficult. If you look
at the AOPA of 2011, versus the AOPA of, say 2008, there's a
disconnect between the two that reveals an incredible contrast in
attitude, mission, manners and outlook. The "old" AOPA had a
well-defined mission, was open and honest, and worked hard to
communicate with outside media interests, especially those of us in
aviation media. The "new" AOPA seems to be more interested in
building its own media apparatus, to the exclusion of all else, so
that the only one talking about AOPA these days is… Well,
AOPA. ANN didn't even bother to go to the summit this year (last
year was a waste of resources and we figured this year was to be
more of the same), though we had folks keeping an eye out for
anything that was legitimately newsworthy -- because the rules,
restrictions, and attitude of AOPA towards outside media --
especially those of us who have dared to criticize them, has just
simply gone to hell.
To be honest, that would give me a number of strong reasons
to question whether or not we're being somewhat over-sensitive...
until you factor in the thousands upon thousands of emails and
comments we've received from ANN readers over the last few years
that support our concerns over the organization's direction and
actions.
As sad as that is, we’ve been informed by more than a few
of those associated with our
Aviation Transformation Conference, of
contacts with AOPA personnel in which their involvement with the
Conference has been belittled and demeaned… And the message
we keep getting from all this is that AOPA seems more interested in
looking good than doing good -- and God help you if you happen to
be somebody doing something (good) that's not AOPA related or
otherwise something that they can’t take credit for, because
it sure seems like they’ll turn their back on you in a big
way.
Those are tough words to issue in regards to an organization
that I still feel a great deal of affection for. And because of my
past relationship, it stings me to say all that. And I'd like to
see it change.
But in the interest of cutting to the chase, and potentially
creating some dialogue here, I have a suggestion and a challenge
for AOPA president Craig Fuller. I have made a number of attempts
to contact AOPA and AOPA personnel in regards to contributions I
think they could make to the
Aviation Transformation Conference and to
the agenda that we’re trying to build right now.
None of those calls have been returned, and I find that
particularly sad because there are a few folks at AOPA who are
definitely some of the smartest and most gifted folks I
know… I think they could really make a difference to the
ATC2012 program -- and, most importantly, to the aviaion community
at large. But it becomes painfully obvious in light of AOPA’s
silence, that ANN and the Aviation Transformation Conference are
either misunderstood or simply persona non grata. And again, I'd
like to see that change.
So here's my challenge to Craig
Fuller…
Craig; you and I have had few substantive conversations and I
find that regrettable -- but not for lack of trying on our part.
Let me suggest the following… One of our political leaders
has made some progress with opposing parties by inviting them to
something he called a "Beer Summit" and knowing your affinity for a
different variety of beverage, I would like to propose a "Wine
Summit" whereby you and I sit down, uncork something, engage in a
truly open and honest dialogue, with the sole express purpose
of talking in a very frank and open way about (first) what we hope
to do to better the aviation world, and (second) how we might do
that in a synergistic or cooperative manner. Make no mistake, it is
my job to cover all of aviation… warts and all, and I
promise nothing less than my best effort to seek positive change
for the aviation community, even when it requires us to tell the
aero-world that something is amiss… but the current modus
operandi whereby AOPA belittles (and even damages) others who are
doing their damnedest to be a positive member of the aviation
community and won’t respond to heart-felt criticism, is
getting us nowhere. Still; I have always believed (and still
believe) that even when strong disagreements are evident, that the
shortest route to a solution and a more positive relationship is a
frank and honest discourse. Despite being the target of a lot of
flak, I'm making the first move to try and change this.
So… how about it, Craig… I’ve got a
corkscrew at the ready and I’m not afraid to use it.
I await your response…
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.13.24)
See All