Pablo Picasso on what counts
The plane knows nothing of your intentions to soar like an eagle. The plane knows nothing of your good intentions about being a safe, smooth, expert pilot. Carefully reading the checklist, actually...
View ArticlePreflight like a Zen master drinking tea
It’s hard to do a good preflight. It’s hard to see all that is in front of us. One thing that may help is to preflight like a Zen master drinking tea. Quote is from Thich Nhat Hanh. Photo is Capt. Andy...
View ArticleLive the warrior’s life
In Greek mythology, Telamon is son of the king Aeacus of Aegina. He accompanied Jason as one of the Argonauts, and was present at the hunt for the Calydonian Boar. I don’t think he ever flew airplanes....
View ArticleBeing a good stick is not enough
Being a “good stick” is not enough. Good pilots are thinking their way through the air as well as simply moving controls. What comes next in flight is absolutely as important as what is happening right...
View ArticleFighting complacency
Fighting complacency is not as exciting as fighting fires, but it’s a battle we will join many more times. We train for engine failures, electrical loss, and lots more. And we should practice multiple...
View ArticleJosh Waitzkin on excellence
Excellence is super cool amazing. But you don’t get there by wishing or hoping or staying safe and comfortable. Your call. (For more from Josh about excellence, see JoshWaitzkin.com) The post Josh...
View Article1 in 5 biz jet pilots are stupid?
Ripped from the aviation press headlines: One in five business jet pilots don’t do a full flight-control check before takeoff. Actually one in five is a bit of an exaggeration. The would be 20%. The...
View ArticleHow you do the little things
How you do the little things everyday is important. Why is explained by former RAF Tornado F3 fighter pilot and Red Arrows display pilot Justin Hughes in his 2016 book The Business of Excellence. The...
View ArticleActive Monitoring
How do we monitor autopilots better? How do we stop just sitting and sorta watching the magic show? A major US airline training slide says ‘Active Monitoring’ works by: Visualizing the outcome....
View ArticleI never mount my machine until
“Only a cautious person, man or woman, should fly. I never mount my machine until every wire and screw has been tested.” Harriet Quimby. First woman to gain a pilot’s license in the United States and...
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