Do you believe the Earth is warming? I do. Do you believe that man contributes to this warming trend? I do, but I don’t know how much. Do you believe that the Earth’s supply of fossil fuels is finite? I do. Do you believe that aviation contributes to climate change? I do—but not as much as other sources of greenhouse gases do. Do you believe that raising cattle contributes to the rise in the Earth’s temperature? I do. Do you like steak? I do. Do you like to fly airplanes powered by fossil fuels? I do. Well, then, that’s a problem.
Gear Up: The Prius and the Private Plane
Key Takeaways:
- The author grapples with the environmental impact of aviation and his personal contribution through owning fuel-intensive aircraft, acknowledging a conflict between environmental awareness and personal passion.
- A 50-year retrospective of his aircraft ownership reveals a consistent trade-off: increased speed, comfort, utility, and reliability have invariably come at the cost of significantly decreased fuel efficiency.
- Despite knowing the environmental implications, the author ultimately prioritizes his personal enjoyment and the fulfillment derived from flying high-performance aircraft, largely dismissing guilt with a sense of unapologetic indulgence.
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