Take it from us: the air cargo visionary, the air cargo pundit extraordinaire, will always be around. His thoughts leap time to a yet unrealized future.
   First there was the 18th century balloon, which could lift a person several hundred feet and bring them back safely to ground. But the air cargo seers of that day perceived the balloon as a potential carrier of farming supplies over much greater distances. Ben Franklin was rumored to have considered the balloon for long-haul mail delivery. And early in the 20th century, there was the airship, which inspired prophesies of tons of freight soaring past ocean vessels to global markets. On its tail was the airplane, which performed the cargo services that the airship did not, and now there are a few pundits daring to predict realities in a supersonic era.
   Those individuals blessed with far-reaching foresight on matters related to air cargo have been joined by a new small handful: air cargo’s drone watchers.
   The basic facts as we know them at the present time are that: the Federal Aviation Administration is seeking to regulate commercial drones; the current commercial drone, about four pounds in weight, is confidently expected to increase many times in size and weight; major businesses are already aware of the drone’s potential link to their service patterns. All of which bring our favorite air cargo visionary front and center.
   What does he see that most don’t yet see! He sees normal same-day delivery services of retail establishments expanded scores, possibly hundreds, of miles; corporate and operational links between drones and both air and motor carriers; fitting the winged robot into convenient parking areas.
   Whatever specific course the commercial drone takes, our favorite air cargo seer is willing to bet dollars against doughnuts that we are witnessing the start of a brand new, emerging industry.
Dale Gregory