Christmas list

As far as Christmas songs go, some really resonate with me. All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth is not one of them. Christmas is a time for magic, when anything seems possible. Aren’t we supposed to be dreaming a little bigger?

In 1888, respected physician, scientist, and president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science Joseph LeConte wrote in his article, “The Problem of a Flying-Machine,” that heavier than air, powered aircraft flight was impossible for several reasons. The crux of his argument was that we cannot argue with nature. If heavy things were meant to fly, then large birds like the ostrich and emu wouldn’t be grounded. All flying animals have a size and weight limit, so a flying machine and the additional weight of a pilot on board were a pipe dream. LeConte was a two-front-teeth kind of guy. He clearly didn’t have the heart of a pilot. Because, while there are always good enough reasons to quit trying, I’m so glad Orville and Wilbur didn’t listen. Or the makers of the jet engine. Or those who developed a Global Positioning System. Or any of the other developments that make air travel a common and safe part of everyday life now.

But, why should we stop there? It’s Christmas, right? I wonder how much further we can go if we really let ourselves get carried away.
But, why should we stop there? It’s Christmas, right? I wonder how much further we can go if we really let ourselves get carried away. I’ve asked a few of my airport friends to help me out here. “If you could think of one thing you’d like to add to our aviation world, what would it be? Shoot for the moon here,” I told them. “Think of things that might seem totally impossible.”

Here’s what they asked Santa for:

• A dome that can create any weather condition.
• Some sort of sound or high-frequency emission from airplanes that can ward off bird strikes.
• An app that creates a review system for airports with all the information pilots need to know, like ease of fueling, condition of the courtesy car, nearby restaurants, hotels, cleanliness of the bathrooms, and more. (Actually, several people sent me this request. The airport directory in the AOPA app displays ratings and reviews—maybe an expansion is in order?)
• The “smart” airplane that can send you a message when a component is failing. Is rust or corrosion setting in? Have wires fallen below a certain predetermined strength level? It would also have a big red engine start button, and set its own radio frequencies.
• A general aviation head-up display that sees through cloud cover.
• Ample hangar space at every airport.
• Can aviation get a little less expensive? So every person can have both an airplane and a car in their garage.
• Runways that you can rotate around to line up with current wind conditions so crosswinds would be a thing of the past.
• A runway at 5,000 feet so we can do pattern work in cool, smooth air.
• More lady pilots. African American, Hispanic, Asian. Diversity in the cockpit, please!
• A sectional chart that actually gives useful information, like free snacks or the nearest $100 hamburger.

As silly as some of these dreams sound, I’m hoping we look back at this article someday the way people are looking back at LeConte’s 1888 piece. Everything that we once thought was impossible will be proven wrong. Some wonderfully optimistic and intelligent people will find a way to make all this happen and more. This Christmas, let’s not be naysayers. Let’s ask Santa for everything we can possibly think of. And you better believe that list is going to include a whole lot more than two front teeth.

myaviation101.com