RECOGNITION
by Dave Wilkerson
Some airplanes' timeless shapes appeal to people; they naturally look right decade after decade. With only a quick glance at the photograph above, many aviation people recognize the design immediately although they see only a basic framework shape. That it has no covering slows one's ability to identify the plane for only a moment. Those who are unfamiliar with airplanes recognize classic designs by their most common appearance. Seeing no yellow fabric on this frame, they can't recognize it. Others, viewing the image more closely, finally finding the 'Cub' logo and then exclaiming: "That's a Cub – a Piper J-3!" Pilots have long needed to recognize airplanes they were likely to encounter without seeing the normal details. This has been particularly true in military settings. During the Second World War, Piper's J-3 (military designation L-4) became a vital airplane to recognize instantly for both allies and axis. The importance and effectiveness of tiny taildraggers to the war effort went far beyond civilian imaginations. To foot- soldiers, these flimsy grasshoppers meant life or death. Immediate recognition became essential for both sides.
Aircraft recognition has become a small part of the aviation industry, with recognition manuals and books ranging from cheap, pocket-size observation guides showing only black-on-white 3-views of common aircraft, to each year's unsurpassed 'Jane's All The World's Aircraft" book costing near month's rent for an average aviator. Colleges, universities, and accredited flight schools devote respectable amounts of time and energy to compete with each other in aircraft recognition competitions. Recognition may follow one of several methods, the most effective one demanding years of study and familiarity. Winners of these events examine details to the point of differentiating exhaust stain pattern details between the same make and model of aircraft. Yes, people are vitally interested in recognition.
Personal recognition is an aspect of life for which some sacrifice everything. Businesses crave recognition to such a degree that they have made advertising one of the world's largest industries. To have one's name in lights, or print, or to have a face recognized wherever one goes; most people seek these in desperation. As the 21st century takes form, name recognition appears to be a sure ticket to success. Actors and actresses having opinions but little understanding of social issues receive credibility not even afforded to those who have devoted lifelong study to such issues. Fame begets fame. Fortune begets fame.
Historically, aviation's days of individual fame began to wane in the last third of the 20th century. Long ago, research in aeronautics ensured recognition for good or ill. Otto Lillienthal made headlines flying what today we call 'hang gliders.' Samuel Langley's name was before the public although his flying machine was never successful. Secretive, the brothers Wright attained fame (if not fortune) once America's news media recognized its initial underestimation of their success. Charles Lindbergh remains famous for his 1927 solo flight from New York to Paris, but who remembers the names of the two pilots who first flew around the world using only the fuel that they took off with . . . or the year? Chuck Yeager remains in the public mind – he flew faster than sound in 1947. Neil Armstrong was the first to step onto the lunar surface in 1969, but who remembers his crewmates? Since 1969, which aviators have won lasting public acclaim for the good they have done? As this is written, Space Ship One's flight makes it the first civilian aero-spacecraft. Do you remember the pilot's name?
Perhaps this merely means that our industry has grown up. Aviation and space endeavors have had countless managers but few leaders. The essential quality for leadership, strength of character, remains rare. Leaders don't become rich as often as managers, thus they receive less recognition. For these, virtue prevails over convenience. Unlike early last century, our time despises virtue until virtue is desperately needed. Then it is too late. Everybody speaks of 'values' – few endorse 'principles.' The principles of the airplane above, not its values, make it recognizable without its skin or paint. People like you want to be a part of aerospace to create good for our community more than to make a name for yourself. Within the family of flyers, there is some recognition. Perhaps, though, we should seek to be recognized, like the Cub above, for the soundness of our framework more than for the coverings that mask what we truly are.
Photo and Text © David R. Wilkerson, 2004
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