American Innovation & The 'Roadable Aircraft'

Newt Gingrich, General Chairman of American Solutions, frequently emphasizes the difference between "right" change and "wrong" change in our government.

Mr. Gingrich has used the example before: when America was still seeking a viable means of manned-flight at the dawn of the 20th century, the Smithsonian Institute was spending big bucks funding failed models.

Who did develop the first working manned-airplane? Two bicycle mechanics from Ohio — the Wright brothers.

The point? A few motivated citizens are more likely to think both more profoundly and more practically in seeking to develop innovative solutions. (And the cost of that innovation will typically be far less when private citizens are working at a problem than when a government agency does.)

So, the Wright brothers example is was an instructive one when I read last week about the "Transition," a new type of flying car — or, as its developer's call it, a "roadable aircraft" that is now commercially available. Deliveries are expected as early as 2011.

What stands out in the article about the Transition are not the technical aspects of how the vehicle works, or even the fact that a sort of flying car is actually going to be available legally in the open market. Check out these two details:

1. Terrafugia, the company behind the Transition, was founded in 2006 by a group of MIT students.

2. The developers cite a loosening of government regulations as a key reason why the Transition is now commercially feasible.

This "roadable aircraft" is on the market first because spirited young people decided to make their dreams a reality, and because government was smart enough to loosen its policies, essentially getting out of the way in order to stimulate technology.

According to American Solutions' Platform of the American People, 88 percent of Americans agree that we must "rely on innovation and new technology if we are going to compete successfully with India and China."

Nearly 80 percent agree that prizes and incentives from government are important ways to stimulate private-sector research, development and innovation.

As the U.S. Congress is preparing to pass another bailout for fiscally mismanaged and irresponsible businesses — this time for nearly $1 trillion — perhaps our elected officials should consider rewarding innovators and forward thinkers like those behind the Transition.

Let's power the businesses of tomorrow, not bailout the failed models and practices of today. With more than a dozen similar "roadable aircraft" in development around the world, it's certainly not an industry that's going away anytime soon.

Who knows? In 100 years, maybe those behind Terrafugia will be seen as the 21st century Wright brothers.

by Guest Blogger, Tom Shakely, columnist for Philadelphia Bulletin

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