Page 38 - Volume 17 Number 4

CJ editorialWatering The Roots Of Innovationby LeRoy CookReminiscing about the effects of innovative thinking on aviation leads us inevitably to recall the founders of our industry. In particular, general aviation’s most unprecedented products began as an idea in a visionary mind, and the marketplace rewarded that breakout thinking.Dwane Wallace envisioned a short-field capable jet that would enable business- men to move between small airports 100-mph faster than piston twins. Walter Beech took a chance on innova- tion in the depths of the Depression, building business airplanes that matched airliners of the day. Ted Smith put his experience with high-perfor-mance military planes to work, develop- ing Aero Commanders and all their progeny. Ed King could see general aviation needed better avionics capabil- ity, and he set up shop in a farmhouse to make such radios. Bill Lear seized on the small-jet concept and made ita household term for business jets. Marcel Dassault knew a fast fanjet corporate airplane could make it in the North American market, and he built one. These are a few examples of where creative thinking has led us.Sticking to the accepted parameters wasn’t good enough for these people. And when a good idea takes wing, so to speak, we all benefit. Spinoffs andfallouts work their way into all cornersof general aviation when new products find acceptance. The used airplane market expands, more users are created, support infrastructure develops and what was once far-out, like the Beech Staggerwing, becomes the standard to be emulated.Right now, Cessna Aircraft is innovating in a big way, building on its leadership in business jets. The crowded super- midsize and long-range jet fields needed new thinking, and the Citation Latitude and Citation Longitude are moving forward to fill those needs. Similarly, Tamarack Aerospace Group found a way to make a CJ wing work better, bringingLet’s Start Something!36 • TWIN & TURBINEAPRIL 2013