This pilot called quite a few people to complain about ATC denying her a right that was guaranteed to her by her desire to land on a specific runway and her 40 years of flight experience. And yes, you read that right. She considered it a right that she should be allowed to land on the runway of her choice. A curiously confusing bit of logic considering the Federal Aviation Regulations quite clearly state that flying is a privilege, not a right.
Politics for Pilots
A mentor flies west
I hope everyone who reads this memorial has the good fortune in life to meet their own Dave. Someone who cares for us and guides us, not because they’re expected to, but because they can.
The attack of the white Cessnas
There are white Cessnas all over the sky. It’s almost impossible to tell who is where and what their intentions are because a variety of voices are identifying themselves identically.
A world of opportunity
Aviation has every job that exists outside aviation — and it has pilots too. There are a whole world of opportunities in this business. Pick the one that’s the best fit for you and pursue it.
Avoiding that flight to fiasco
For American general aviation pilots, Mexico is just on the other side of the Rio Grande, a body of water that is smaller and far less intimidating than many would believe. South America is a picturesque island-hopping adventure away. Canada lies right there above Detroit, waiting to welcome us. Our travel options are many. But those options come with strings. Be aware of them before you go. Always.
A small midwestern city that doubles in size once a year
Oshkosh is not significantly different than other cities of similar size. It isn’t blessed with a frosting of magic dust that brings wealth and prosperity. What it does have is AirVenture, and that’s neither accidental nor unappreciated.
The ultimate investment
Rather than putting tens of thousands of dollars into a sports car to assuage our fear of aging, why not learn to fly? Rather than taking on six figure debt to upscale into a bigger, more expensive house in an effort to impress the Joneses, wouldn’t we be better off to invest just a small fraction of that amount in ourselves?
Motivational speakers aplenty
Find your own personal mentor, motivational speaker, or coach right there on the ramp. Listen to them. You might be surprised at the results you get from that interaction.
Happy accidents and gratifying outcomes
Of all the challenging landings I’ve greased, of all the long cross-countries I’ve accomplished without getting lost, and of the various in-flight challenges I’ve overcome safely, nothing compares to the satisfaction I get when a cluster of kids rebuilds an engine, then watches it run for the first time. And that’s to say nothing of the look on their faces when they exit the airplane after their first time at the controls.