Electric airplanes are here and while naysayers say they aren’t practical, batteries are too heavy and range is too limited, that’s not what will limit their use and popularity. It’s a ground-bound problem that nobody seems to be facing.
Politics for Pilots
Long, winding, and unavoidable
So few have walked that short distance across the ramp, climbed into an aircraft, and flown away under their own direction that the average man or woman on the street just can’t conceive of what it must be like. They can watch it on video, but they won’t really understand what they’re seeing. They can ride along in the seat beside the pilot, and they’ll still miss 90% of what lights the pilot’s fire.
Misconceptions and outright lies we tell ourselves
We all have misconceptions in life. And some of us lie to ourselves rather than accept the truth for what it is. In the aviation world this same human tendency to discard accepted, proven knowledge in favor of a deeply held but poorly understood personal belief can lead to disaster.
In consideration of right seaters
There is nothing natural about piloting an aircraft. In fact, our belief that the act of flying is normal and enjoyable flies in the face of an opinion held by the vast majority of the wider population. I’m not talking about the fear of flying. That’s real, but increasingly rare. The intimidation factor, though, that can be found in abundance.
The art of negotiation
The act of negotiating is good. Yet, few of us will engage in an obvious negotiation for fear that we might be turned down, or worse, that negotiation is somehow an indication of greed or of being egocentric. Neither of those fears is valid.
Participation prizes of a different kind
Virtually all of us will want something from the government at some point in our lives. A building variance, a zoning change, a pothole filled, maybe even a commitment to keep a local airport open. When it’s time to take your concern to an elected official, who do you think they will listen to more carefully? Those who only complain, or those who participate in the process and offer solutions?
The woodpecker, the cat, and the rest of us
At some point in our lives, most of us probably have the chance to do something remarkable. Of course, decisions will have to be made. Sacrifices may be required. Primary training may make us queasy. Instrument training may give us a headache. The stock market may rise or fall. But if we persevere, like the woodpecker and the cat, we may very well get what we want.
Great vistas of green
There is an almost universally accepted belief that our world is over-developed. It’s excessively crowded. Steel and glass and concrete surround us everywhere we go. We’re hemmed in by our own construction projects. Cramped and confined to areas with heavy traffic, ceaseless noise, and crowds of strangers. Asphalt pathways lead us deeper into the chasm of our communities, yet make it nearly impossible for us to find our way out. Balderdash. Absolute rubbish. If perception is reality, then a realignment of our perceptions is in order.
The quiet interval
This quiet interval takes me back to memories of my old friend, now gone, Hiram Mann. It makes me think of a place where he faced significant hardship, but came to experience profound pride.