What is the goal of aviation? That’s the title of an intriguing blog post on The Aviation Guy. Commercial operators want to make money. Normally by moving people or goods quickly. Or for a few tour operators, the method is by giving great views of our planet. More than all this however, there are two things that strike me about the goal thing:
One. The goal of aviation is not safety. Whatever the stated mission statement or the company’s “number one value”, the goal is never safety. The goal is production. Doing it reasonably safely is part of the process.
Two. What is your goal? For while companies have corporate goals, we should have our personal reasons for devoting time and energy to aviation. It’s more than just a job, more than some coins at the end of the week.
I’m split about why I love flying. Sometimes I think it’s the sheer simple joy of it. Seeing my shadow on the ground. It’s as pure as a dog with his head out the car window. Wheeeee! And other times I think it’s the top of Maslow’s pyramid, self-actualization. The long personal journey inward and upward. But either way, I need to think about my goals. Because if I don’t know the goal of my flying, how will I plot my path?
How can I plan my journey, if I don’t know the destination?
What do you think? What is the goal of your flying?