Editorial: Elections Have Come and Gone
By Ed Downs
It is traditional in many publications to use December editorial space to talk about the year that has just flown past. To be sure, that is a fine tradition, but perhaps the future is a topic of more interest and need. Aviation is entering some challenging times, and we need to take some positive steps to make sure the most unique aviation structure in the world remains healthy. But first, let’s just do some griping!
2012 was an election year to be remembered. Unfortunately, that remembrance is most likely not going to be because of the important issues that were covered or principles of government being argued. Instead, we will remember some of the most negative campaigning in this country’s history. But even more disappointing, was the manner in which politicians and pollsters divided up the country into opposing voting groups, or “classes.” Rich were pitted against poor; the middle class was pitted against both income “classes.” Age groups were defined and divided, with political “pitch” ads catering to each group as if in opposition to another age group. Certainly ethnic groups were carefully “classed” and addressed as if they lived in different countries. Women were focused upon as if their America was completely different from the one that men live in. This writer is sure that there is, somewhere, a set of stats that breaks America down by shoe and hat size, characterizing folks with big feet and small heads as voting in a particular style and needing to see particular political ads. The old axiom of “divide and conquer” is alive and well. The fact is, the divisiveness of 2012 has been the policy of politicians at all levels for some years and we must assume that it will continue, until we voters finally stand up and call for a stop.
So, what does this have to do with aviation, the kind we generally think of as personal, recreational or business flying? What do these past trends of political divisiveness mean for our future and the future of airports and FBO’s across the country? Tough questions that can lead to uncertainty and fear that our sector of aviation is in for big changes. But this writer sees the trends of recent past as a sign post ablaze with instructions on how to deal with an uncertain future. This is not the time to “dig in” with a siege attitude as federal and local governments come after resources needed to keep American aviation healthy. This is not the time to give in to user fees and higher taxes. This is the time to learn from the past and take the kind of action that will absolutely destroy the “divide and conquer” methods now being employed. Private and business aviation (including FBO’s) must not allow our industry to be singled out as a “rich entity,” separate from other recreational and business tools, to be punished for its success and uniqueness in the world marketplace.
For those of us in the commercial (we make a living from aviation) end of the business, it is time to go to our various alphabet groups (like AOPA, EAA, NBAA, GAMA and many others) and encourage and support more efforts to work together with a common goal of protecting all aspects of aviation. It is time for a national alliance. We must form a common industry front. Members of these organizations must insist and support their alphabet group of choice to develop a national plan that fits in with maintaining an entire industry, not just their specific member profile. Many readers are not members of any national organization, often complaining that “they just do not do enough for my kind of flying.” Well, it is time to drop that nonsense and pick a side. Remember, doing nothing is the same as joining with the enemy. Cough up the bucks and join. And do not forget the many local airport and state organizations, all of which bring folks of common interest together. Sure, this will take some money and time, but use that to your advantage when writing to local and federal politicians. Let them know that you are now supporting national and local organizations with your time and money, not them. Take it from a guy who spent four years “inside the beltway” supporting aviation interests, that such a message will get noticed.
The recent past is not pretty, with a devastated economy and government that is basically hostile to aviation. But that past gives us a very clear path to future events and the action all pilots need to take to make sure private aviation remains a strong and viable part of the national transportation system. In short, the future certainly holds some challenges, but if we just group together, stop industry infighting and saddle up, we can make one heck of a posse!
