TIME FOR A COOL CHANGE

I’ve always been of the opinion that change is a good thing – even if more often than not, it’s a perfectly human response to whinge about how fast the world turns.

In this issue, the idea of change takes on different permutations. One is physical. You hold in your hands a revamped – or reinvented, if you will – Jetgala. It’s not a complete overhaul, but we did try to rethink the magazine. We kept what worked, expanded some sections and added new topics that we think fit with your interests.

Change was also the subtext for most of our stories this issue. What better way to signify change than the rapid pace of technology – doesn’t it seem as if we’re confronted with newfangled improvements every time we wake up? This is especially true for the smart devices that we can’t do without today. In fact, these devices have also been essential tools in the cockpit, as more and more pilots use apps that help them fly their aircraft. Similarly, military research and development into technology has also benefited civilian aviation, as proven by the newly released jets coming out this year.

We’ve also come to realise that changing behaviours have also influenced many of the advances we see today. For instance, e-cars and dare I say it, flying cars. Their development was brought about by our evolving ways of thinking – we need vehicles that are eco-friendly, efficient and able to navigate the growing traffic jams in our megacities – which intersected with the tech advances we see about us today. We are indeed living in a sci-fi world, in so many ways.

And yet the flipside of the coin seems to be a conscious slowing down, in reaction to the speediness of everyday life. After all, the ultimate luxury these days is to have the time to take things slow and experience the finer things in life. You’ll find within stories that will inspire you to better appreciate life – adrenalin-pumping adventures, a dram of the good stuff, even just sitting in an elegantly appointed room. All these are luxuries.

Here’s to a year of exciting changes and challenges.