Page 41 - Volume 15 Number 7

wonder what would happen if...” Then he performed the first outside loop and the Lomcovak.Someone made an airplane out of cloth and someone discovered how to weld aluminum. Someone soldered together components that had never been soldered together before ... and that was the beginning. The ability to transfer fuel in-flight from one airplane to another was developed. Someone figured out you could design a spaceship that can re-enter the atmosphere based on the drag characteristics of a badminton birdie instead of a flaming meteor. An airplane was flown on instruments for the first time and an author wrote a masterpiece about a seagull named Jonathon Livingston.Creating somethin’ from nothin’, The Beginning. That’s a very difficult place to be. Once you pass The Beginning, oftentimes the rest of the project is simply busy work; making the picture in your mind become a material thing; doing the research, testing, problem solving, trial-and- error, and heaven forbid, the editing. But you must get to, and beyond, The Beginning.Give Them Credit For BraveryOne of the largest gatherings of civilian, military and corporate aviation visionaries is taking place this month in Oshkosh, Wis. Manybeginning and created somethin’ from nothin’. Many more of them have said “that’s not good enough” and taken an original idea or concept and modified it with a second or third original idea; a new or tailored somethin’.Remember as you enjoy the experience of AirVenture this year, a lot of folks are hanging it out there: pilots, designers, engineers, inventors, entrepreneurs, artists and authors. Try to not snicker at their misshapen pottery cups with names and dates carved in the unglazed bottoms. Not all of the new somethins’ will succeed. However, success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm. (Winston Churchill)Give them credit for the bravery of their attempt at success. Don’t blow sunshine up their hinnies, but don’t rip their hearts out either. Be inspired by them; we need inventors and visionaries, people willing to fail and yet, not afraid to succeed. Look around AirVenture at the many somethin’s from nothin’ and if you become inspired, take the idea you think won’t work, or isn’t good enough, and fix it! Make a list of ideas and take it home with you from the convention. Then chip away at your own somethin’ from nothin’.This July let’s reflect on how our country grew from a vast supply of natural resources to a modern civilization through the ingenuity and courage of those that have gone before us. Those brave enough to have been creative. It’s difficult to imagine, but AirVenture hasn’t always been there, it was invented just like everything at the show. People, like the ones at Oshkosh, have been daring enough to ask: What if we...? Then went on to create or employ the winglet, vortices generators on airfoils, NASA air scoops, pressure carburetors, and all of our current airplanes and spacecraft. These things grew out of an irrepressible desire to fly like the birds, to explore and create.You Will Be Taught How to FlyRealization and recognition of a new concept is the beginning. Your fellow aviators and I encourage you to take baby steps or giant leaps, but move your feet and take a step; even if it’s a stumble.“When you have come to the edge of all the light you have and step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen: There will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.” (Richard Bach)Have confidence and build it, write it, sing it, invent it or enjoy and appreciate the brilliance of those around you that have. An obscure columnist once said, “Don’t be afraid to make paper airplanes, and don’t be afraid to throw them in class.”Fine advice if I may say so myself... again. Good luck getting that Nothin’ from Nothin’ •melody out of your head. Enjoy the convention and I’ll see you there. T&Toe folks have gone past theofff tthheesseKevin Dingman has been flying for 38 years. He’s an ATP typed in the B737 and DC9 with 17,000 hours. A retired Air Force Major; he flew the F-16 then performed as a USAF Civil Air Patrol Liai- son Officer. He flies volunteer missions for the Christian or- ganization Wings Of Mercy, is employed by a major airline, and owns and operates a Beech- craft Duke. Contact Kevin at Dinger10d@gmail.com.J111 TWIN & TURBINE • 39JULYYY 22001