Flying with Finesse
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Flying with Finesse
I love it when we refer to flying as art. It distills away all the sorid technical details and leaves us with the one thing that keeps us coming back, our physical connection with the flying machine.
This connection should be a major concern for us as pilots. Our handling of the flight controls should be likened to caressing a loved one, not wrestling a pig.
Flying at its essence is a marriage between man and machine that culminates in an almost ethereal experience.
For most this was how we arrived at flying; it wasn’t to travel or earn a living or to get a $100 hamburger. The goal was to break the surly bonds of earth with our hands at the controls.
In this day and age of technically advanced airplanes I wonder if we aren’t loosing ground when it comes to stick and rudder skills? When flying becomes a chore should we reach for the autopilot or should we be asking ourselves why am I struggling? This is not to say I’m against automation, there are many times it is appropriate to be used, especially in a single-pilot IFR situation, but it shouldn’t be a crutch for poor handling skills. I believe this is why accident rates haven’t decreased in spite of all this advanced technology – less skilled pilots are taking on more demanding flights because the airplane can do it, even if they can’t. Maybe the ‘law of unintended consequences’ is at work here?
This happens to the big boys too. It got so bad at some of the airlines they encouraged pilots to turn off the automation and hand fly occasionally to keep their skills. This is an excellent video on that subject if you haven’t seen it: Children of the Magenta
I think we should all remember how we got here and not forget our roots. Flying can be pure magic, but it is fiercely unforgiving, especially of the unskilled.
I love Samuel Goldwyn’s famous quote, “the harder I work, the luckier I get.” – this couldn’t be more true when it comes to flying.
- Want to be safer? Don’t accept mediocrity in your flying.
- Want to be confident? Perform to the standard (or higher)
- Want to be lucky? Work hard at being the best you can be!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Please comment below.
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Just a word of advice to students at all levels.
I went through primary flight instruction. I did not.know much about aviation, a person, who was already well into flying, recommended a neighbor of hisI at a local fly-in community. I called and made an appointment for lessons. Found he would available to instruct on his schedule from a full time job. My ground school consisted of him selling me a fill in the blocks work book. All other i9nstruction was done with hobes meter running, I passed my written (just barely)
He soloed me at 8 hours.I passeed my flight exam, no problems.
After a couple years, I realized an Instrument ticket was necessary.
Again, I had a friend recommend an instructor. I went to a seminar on Instrument flying. Passed my written close to 90% grade.
Then caught on I was not getting anywhere with another, who could only help me when his schedule was OK.
I then went to the hbo of a well respected FBO, who assigned a full time instructer for me. WOW !!. You can fill in the rest.
Lesson learned – do not employ a part time instructor. Go to a professional HBO, you will not only get high level instruction, you will also save money.
Jim Phillips Tipp City, OH
Jim,
That’s good advice. You have to be selective about your instructor – they are not all created equal.
I recently read a book on this very subject by Robert N. Buck called “The Art of Flying”. I would consider Mr. Buck as a “pilot’s pilot” and in his book, he explains this concept quite well. I would recommend this book to anyone that sees flying beyond the technicalities and truly appreciates the fine art associated with this passion we all share in flying.
I’ll have to find that book. Thanks for the tip!