The Future of Aviation

[Tailspin45]

"It would not be unnatural if men of commerce were attracted, at least, to consider the possibility of using the airways as suitable routes for the transportation of goods that require a rapid method of conveyance, such as stuffs of a perishable nature. Still, at the moment, or even after the war, although the progress of flight has been exceedingly rapid, the commercial uses of the aeroplane in this respect will be very limited. The enormous horse power and wing span required to lift heavy cargoes would be two of the chief disadvantages, and the expense of the former even initially and for subsequent maintenance would be so terribly high that it would be cheaper to use the ordinary methods of shipping and rail though at a greater expense of time."

Flying Men and Their machines
Clarence Winchester
1916

[foff]

hi all,
he said in 1916 aviation has no future and he was wrong.
I say the same now in 2010 and I should be right that time

[muduckace]

Nahh, aviation will continue to prosper, just not us. The glamor is gone, it's just a job. Aviation's goal is to remove the human factor completely, 1 down with the F/E, 2 more to go in the cockpit. The machines become more reliable, they need less maintenance. A pretty smile will allways sell seats for countries that can discriminate as they hire.