A Continuing Look At The Obstacles We Face
Aero-Analysis/Commentary by James R. Campbell, ANN
Editor-In-Chief/Rabble-Rouser
Welcome to Part 7 of ANN’s longest run Editorial Rant
(soon to be a major motion picture)… and our continuing look
into the problems and potential solutions aviation faces as it
attempts to keep from swirling the drain.
When I started this particular diatribe, I emphasized that
saving aviation was not exactly an altruistic pursuit. Let's face
it, we were not proposing to cure cancer, we weren’t
declaring world peace, we weren’t saving the whales, or for
that matter are we answering philosophical quandaries such as
‘what is the sound of one hand clapping…’ But
what we are doing trying to do, in no uncertain terms, is preserve
and someday GROW both a treasured aspect of our lives, as well as a
phenomenally useful tool in helping the world keep its balance as
it seeks to be where it needs to be and get things to where
they’re supposed to go.
I'm going to tackle a few more interesting little tidbits, parts
of the overall problem-solving matrix, if you will, and in the next
few days I'm going to initiate a companion series to this
multi-part rant, and do what I promised to do all along -- take on
not only our fair share of the chores necessary to revitalize
aviation, but to take on as much as we possibly can (and then some)
in order to play a very visible role in leading the charge to
helping the aviation world stay alive.
I call this companion series,
‘Aero–Initiatives’ and I have
more than a dozen intriguing ideas and programs to prove to you
that all this thought and deliberation is more than just about
placing the blame -- but actually about getting fully committed to
seeking the numerous small interlocking changes necessary to create
the cascade effect that will produce a proper revolution in
aviation's future.
And while we’re willing to beat ourselves black and blue
to do whatever's necessary to show you how committed we are and to
put forth as creative and effective a series of proposals as we can
conjure, it's also the start of something that I believe to be
absolutely necessary for any of this to work – for the
Aero-News Network to initiate extensive partnerships, cooperative
relationships, and a true consensus with others in the aviation
industry to enact and pursue a positive directed renaissance for
all aspects of the Aero-World.
And finally… to develop a far closer relationship with
all of you… to seek your support, counsel and involvement in
the aero-activism that we’re instigating even as I write
this… because waiting for someone else to save the day is
pointless… unless we ALL get involved and become a part of
the solution rather than sitting around and bitching at all the
problems we face. We’ll have LOTS more info on this in the
next few days…
So… back to the bullet points… and those aspects
of aviation that present unusual problems… or promise.
Air Taxi’s Potential Role In
Re-Building Aviation
A few years ago the Air-Taxi industry seemed to be on the verge
of a massive game-changing renaissance… and then the economy
and other factors tanked a number of the most promising ventures
we’d seen in a while… both in respect to their own
endeavors as well as what they might have meant to the rest of our
embattled industry. Air Taxi efforts like SATSAir and DayJet (and
others still struggling through this economy) not only showed
potential, they achieved amazing results in reinvigorating airport
business and stature at municipalities all over the East Coast.
The boosters of these programs cited the fact that airports and
the towns nearby would see the value of GA and business aviation as
air taxi aircraft showed the way to new levels of mobility and
timeliness. There was no question that cities served by DayJet and
SATSAir started to get enthused by the potential that their
airports started showing and numerous stories celebrated the coming
revolution of a new generation of Air-Taxi access to the skies.
And yet… it didn’t happen… yet.
Few aspects of aviation show as much promise for the
revitalization of aviation as a healthy Air-Taxi industry…
starting with the new generation of Technologically Advanced single
engine piston and turbine aircraft, continuing with VLJs and other
light jets and working all the way up to the next generation of
truly inspired globe-girdling business jets.
Small business that learned that a Cirrus, PC-12, Caravan or
Eclipse provided outstanding payback for their business activities
quickly grew to see even greater in aviation than ever before and
watched their business profit as a result. This industry needs to
go back to the drawing board, examine what we learned from the last
few years, fix the areas that need improvement and get back in the
game… there is a HUGE market out there for cost-effective
and innovative Air-Taxi operations… and the first group that
proves it will not only make money, they will be a pivotal part of
aviation's renaissance. Sadly; DayJet and SATSAir got SO close to
leading the way… and I’d have loved to see them
succeed. Now; it’s up to another set of visionaries to lead
the way.
Self-Certified Medical—Unnecessary For VFR
Flyers
Too many pilots are grounded for
reasons that have nothing to do with their ultimate ability to
safely fly airplanes, especially for recreational purposes. While
some forms of aviation (Ultralights, LSAs, sailplanes, some classes
of Lighter-Than-Air, etc.), have proven to have a safety record
equivalent to those requiring more stringent medical certification
(or have even bettered that record), basic fun-flying needs as many
aids (and fewer costs/restrictions) as it can get if we’re
going to keep flyers flying and attract others to our fold.
Basic VFR flight really has little need for the restrictions of
a third-class medical – and the hassles that go with keeping
one in the case of some question about a minor medical matter.
There simply is no justification, statistically or evidentially, to
insist on a medical certificate for VFR flyers and I have little
doubt that we’d keep more flyers in the fold without the
expense, complication and restrictions of our current aero-medical
hierarchy.
The studies prove that current medical certification has little
to offer basic aviation and private aviators and we feel that
aviation will be more accessible and more popular to our maturing
population if the Third Class medical for Private Pilot and similar
operations ceases to be a requirement.
God Bless Airshows!
In an earlier part of this series, I mentioned that one of the
most pivotal jobs in all of aviation is that of the flight
instructor. So much of what aviation will come to be judged by
starts and ends with the quality of what these incredible people
teach to fledgling aviators. But just as important as those persons
are a series of events that pop up all around the nation with
increasing frequency in the warmer parts of the year.
I speak, lovingly and respectfully, of airshows.
No other event, individually or collectively, produces as many
targeted opportunities for reaching out to the general public about
the excitement, utility, and potential of all things aviation as
the teeniest tiniest little country airshow, or the biggest mega
air – experience. We must take advantage of these
phenomenally attractive and exciting opportunities, and the willing
audiences that they pull in each and every spring and summer
weekend, to put aviation first and foremost in front of folks who
are (for those few days and hours) positively disposed toward all
things aviation…
And while extraordinary masters of aerobatic art do amazing
things in the skies above them, aviation is seen as something
magnificent, and wonderful, and unlimited, and truly delightful. We
need to take BETTER advantage of these events. We need to flood
these events not just with all that is exciting and aerobatic, but
with all other possible things related to aviation to show them
that there is a big wide wonderful capable expert extraordinary
industry that MORE THAN celebrates the aerobatics they know and
love, and does so by getting Grandma from point A to point
B, by inspecting power lines that pass by their houses, by
getting their packages to their next location when it absolutely
positively has to be there, and so many other ways aviation drives
this world.
NO AIRSHOW should ever be conducted without a full and dedicated
presence from all aspects of the aviation community. EVERRYONE with
a business or recreational interest in aviation should be on
display, putting our best foot forward… both to support the
airshow itself, as well as to offer a view of the many other varied
and valuable facets of aviation. People come to airshows prepared
to be amazed and impressed… let’s make sure that ALL
of aviation is there to draw as much of that support as is
possible. And better yet; this industry needs to put some of our
best brains at work in order to build programs that educate the
rest of the industry as how to take advantage of the opportunities
these shows present… and to forge a formidable alliance with
the powerful cadre of airshow professionals that make up a dynamic
and progressive industry… DO NOT BLOW THIS OPPORTUNITY,
folks… EVERY airshow should be crammed to the gills with
every aviation business, club, organization, plane, display, pilot
and aero-fan that can get through the gate… Show the world
how amazing this industry is… collectively, professionally
and passionately. Do it big. Do it well. Take no prisoners.
Next… While we realize that such a
hard-hitting editorial series tends to occasionally seem negative
and depressing… we also understand that much of the
criticism for the state of the aviation world needs to be directed
a little closer to home. SO… do be advised that some of the
toughest criticism we have coming up is for our own ilk... and the
truly deplorable state of aviation journalism.
More to follow in the coming days… Stay
tuned!
Jim Campbell -- 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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