In aviation, things are absolutely, without a doubt, getting cleaner, quieter, and more efficient.
Old dog, new trick
My new role with the AOPA Foundation is once again something audacious, something that has never been done on a large scale. I now hold the title of High School Aero Club Liaison, which gives me the freedom to work with kids, parents, teachers, administrators, airport administrators, and community leaders from coast to coast to help them create aero clubs where kids can get into aviation in a meaningful way.
When the paperwork equals the weight of the aircraft
Here’s the good news. The FAA has extended the life of aircraft registrations to seven years, more than double the previous term of three years. Here’s the not so good news. There is no requirement for the FAA to mail out new documentation that actually shows those extended expiration dates.
Elite and specialized
Within the ranks of pilots that span a wide spectrum from student to Airline Transport Pilot with so many stops in between, there is an enormous amount of specialization. So much so that the word “pilot” becomes little more than a broad category that suggests an industry more than it explains what a given individual does.
Be a gateway to the future, not a barrier
If your reason for getting into an aviation organization of any type is rooted in the desire to keep others out, I’m pretty sure you’re doing life wrong.
Pick your prognosticator
Unlike the news reports and financial predictions on television, the weather reports and forecasts actually matter on a day to day basis. Hourly, even. The fronts, the troughs, the ridges, the high and low pressure systems and, of course, those occasional tropical problems all catch the attention of pilots and dispatchers. As they should.
Life goes on
Each one of us has the opportunity to set out on our own adventure. Whether we win or lose in the long run is anyone’s guess. Whether anyone remembers us or what we accomplish is beside the point. Try. Push on to the next big thing. Your next big thing. Even if nobody else cares.
Qualified or competent?
You might have checked all the boxes and met the technical standard for the completion of the training for your pilot certificate or additional rating. But are you competent? Do you have the confidence to perform under pressure? The difference between being qualified and being competent can be very small, but it is a critical distinction.
Winning through failure
Frankly — and I think it is long past time the following statement should come into common usage — failure isn’t such a bad thing. Accept failure as a periodic occurrence. Welcome it, even. For failure only comes our way when we aim high and fall somewhat short.