Every pilot owes their safety and security in some part to the predictable actions of their fellow pilots in flight. If only for reasons of self-preservation, it is entirely reasonable to conduct yourself as expected. Certainly, the FAA would like to believe your behavior is a reflection of your respect for its authority and wisdom. […]
Politics for Pilots
Wielding the power to heal by air and sea
Historically, adversity brings out the best and the worst in humans. That’s certainly been true throughout America’s history. Lately, we’ve had plenty of adversity on our plate, a sad reality that presents the opportunity for individuals to show grace and generosity — which they did. It started with a storm named Harvey that blasted into […]
A best guess does not equal a good plan
Hurricane Irma came to visit the other day. Unbidden and unwelcome, she stomped up from the south through 200 miles of the sandbar I call home, came right up to our door, knocked with great vigor, and moved on to north. As of this writing I have no electricity, no Internet connection, very spotty cell […]
Correcting for the fallacy of infallibility
Each of us who takes a command position, regardless of the endeavor, must strike a balance between knowing and believing. One represents a conclusion. The other is little more than a hope. In any situation where management of people or ideas is required, there is a gray area that exists in the gap between those […]
How much is this gonna cost?
Surveys have shown that cost isn’t the number one impediment that prevents folks from learning to fly. But it is a significant consideration for almost anyone who puts serious thought into getting their wings. Other industries that sell high dollar products or services face similar challenges. And so they engage in something called exceptional customer […]
Every journey starts with a single step
You’ve heard this old bromide many times. We all have. There’s probably a bumper sticker with it printed between images of a map of the world and a cuddly puppy. There are certainly similarly worded inspirational posters slapped up in classrooms and office spaces all over the country. But have you really thought about it? […]
On fathers and sons and being afraid
True story: I’m afraid of heights. But I’ve got a sense of humor about it. This is probably best illustrated by a visit to the Smithsonian’s Udvar-Hazy Center I enjoyed a few years ago. The ground floor exhibits really caught my attention. On the second level, I enjoyed the view. By the time I got […]
At the confluence of ignorance and fear
Bad judgment lives at the confluence of ignorance and fear. Not that most folks notice. I direct you to an astoundingly popular activity that involves a carnie strapping you and a friend into a device intended to shoot you into the sky. It then allows you to drop at the speed of gravity, before boinging […]
Delving one layer deeper
It comes as no surprise to anyone involved in the aviation industry that cost is a factor when it comes to bringing new blood into our ranks. Learning to fly isn’t cheap. It doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive either, but let’s face it, flight time is generally perceived as being out of reach for […]