Page 4 - Volume 15 Number 5

2 • TWIN & TURBINEMAY 2011editor’sbriefingIn last month’s Editor’s Briefing, I wrote, “You meet the nicest people in aviation.” This month, I am compelled to write, “You meet the nuttiest people in aviation, too.”Shortly after that editorial appeared, I received a hand- written letter from a person whotook exception to my writing. Now I am no stranger to criticism – each month I receive emails from readers who objected to something I’ve written or the views expressed by one of Twin & Turbine’s contributors. Even though I enjoy praise more, I usually am enlightened by the thoughtful perspective the critical reader offers. It typically leads to a friendly exchange of ideas and oftentimes is the genesis for a future article. That’s howit’s supposed to work.This anonymous letter, however, was quite different. The writer disparaged me for daring to be a woman pilot and working mother. After ranting about ruination of our culture at the hands of “liberal” women, the writer ends with an Arabic saying and a chilling summary: “Selfish pigs.”Sure, the letter is rubbish, but isn’t this what we love about this country? In America, we are free to express our views, regardless if they lean toward tea, donkeys or even pigs. We also have another freedom that is unique in the world – an aviation structure that supports a robust general aviation community. No doubt, we’ve suffered setbacks, but we still have this amazing ability to climb in our own airplane and fly to pretty much wherever our hearts desire. Many of the owner-pilots I encounter are successful entrepreneurs and self-made business owners.General aviation is an indispensable tool in their businesses and personal lives. Flying has helped make them rich – and we’re not talking just money. Take another look at the cover of the March Twin & Turbine and you’ll see many of their faces.I was thinking about all this while flying over the Midwest countryside recently. Next to me sat my 12-year-old daughter, who was intently studying the landscape as it passed beneath us. Somewhere out there was my 15-year-old daughter who at that same moment was learning to fly our newly acquired family jewel, a Cessna 172. Our entire family was airborne in general aviation airplanes at the time and place of our choosing – a testament to the principles on which our country was founded.Both girls are being raised with the ideology that they can be anything that they set their minds to and are willing to work hard for. Both also have a greater sense that they have the responsibility to contribute to the world in some meaningful way, whether that means volunteering at the Humane Society or plotting a course to become an astronaut. They came up with that last part on their own, although it hasn’t compelled them to keep their rooms any cleaner.I love my job, no question. But through my work, I hope to plant the seeds of individuality, confidence and adventure in my daughters so they go on to achieve their own destinies in this world.Somehow, that doesn’t seem so selfish to me.Dianne White EditorFreedom to Fly