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| Change | Nov '08 |
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| By Cliff Robertson |
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I don't know about you, but I have been surfeited these past months with the word "change." It seems both parties held claim to that mysterious word. "Change" obviously means so many things – good, bad, indifferent, meaningless or meaningful. It can be healthy when it improves – when it improves the economy of our nation or our relations with the rest of the world. It can be beneficial when it inspires, and it can be boring when it is used carelessly.
It can be wonderful in aviation. From the time Orville and Wilbur labored in their bicycle shop in Dayton, change was essential, innovation imperative, attitude positive. In wartime, change has been the deciding factor in victory or loss and the ability to shift gears tactically and populous attitude dramatically. Through change, gears are shifted midstream when all seems hopeless. Washington had that ability. Faced with six consecutive major losses in battle, he shifted to a major victory that was the lynchpin for ultimate and final victory.
Now that we have chosen our new President, our next administration, we will be confronted with change. Let us hope and pray it will be positive, not specious, mawkish and self-serving. We, as pilots and aviation addicts (for this pilot/writer), have always been adaptable to change – both mechanically and romantically.
We have, it seems, been able to attune ourselves readily to the most dramatic change. We witnessed the almost immediate change to VLJs (very light jets). The alacrity with which we have accepted this transition is both stimulating and exciting. We have not questioned the technology. We have not resisted the change, nor have we rejected the past proven. We have ridden tandem on the evolution and made it feasible and almost inevitable.
God bless our American ability to change when needed, when necessary and imperative. Like our Minute Men of the past, we make hardships become beneficial. We make difficulties become opportunities in disguise. May we all support our wonderful nation in its ability and desire to accept in a positive way what changes are in our future paths.
Academy Award and Emmy Award winning screen star Cliff Robertson has owned and flown a wide array of aircraft, including a Spitfire MK IX, a Messerschmitt Me 108, a French aerobatic Stampe SV4 biplane, a Grob Astir glider (in which he still holds a distance record) and a Beech Baron 58. A holder of single, multi, instrument and commercial licenses, as well as balloon, the pilot of many thousands of hours has accumulated many aviation awards, including EAA's highest Eagle award and the AOPA Sharples Award. He was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and the American Veteran Association has honored him as Veteran of the Year. His columns will appear in his soon-to-be-published book. For more information, visit www.cliffrobertson.info.
JAN HAVILAND - PLANT
November 14, 2009 18:09 | Hello again, Cliff... Yes, many changes have taken place since are last meeting, especially this year .. with our new President. I wish you great success with your book Cliff and I am looking forward to reading it here in Aiken, S.C. Yes, you do have an excellent way with words, sir .. William Bova,Jr. sends his regards, also. Ms. Jan Haviland-Plant |
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