“It is never finished. I don’t have a sense of triumph or resting on laurels. I am quite a restless person. I just want to fly. I wish I was leaving tomorrow and flying on.” Tracey Curtis-Taylor. After flying an open-cockpit biplane England to Australia. Sounds like she knows of the perpetual pursuit … Her website is www.birdinabiplane.com, some great press …
Category: Airmanship Quotes
What Would You Like to Do If Money were No Object
Alan Watts would have turned 101 yrs-old today. This is an excellent comic page from Zen Pencils illustrating one of his quotes, the full “What would you like to do if money were no object.” For me the answer is easy. Fly airplanes.
An Extension of My Arms
Kirby is a five-time US National Aerobatic Champion and two-time Red Bull Air Race World Champion. With over 27,000 flight hours, he says in a Flying magazine video that wings are “just an extension of my arms.” Photo from TeamChambliss, taken at his Flying Crown Ranch, between Tucson and Phoenix, Arizona.
In Love with the Work
“I fell in love with the work. And the work was joyful and difficult and interesting. And that was my focus.” ~ Jerry Seinfeld, talking to President Obama, on keeping perspective and finding meaning in life after making millions. It works even if you aren’t a billionaire or a president. On the web show www.comediansincarsgettingcoffee.com
Is It Worth It?
Poem by Natalie Goldberg, reflecting on her life. From her new book, The Great Spring: Writing, Zen, and this Zigzag Life, to be published on 2 February, 2016. The greats dedicate themselves so completely. And is it worth it? Depends on what you value. For me, I’m looking forward to flying another oceanic red-eye, and seeing inside the night sky.
Milking a Mouse
“Milking a mouse” Bob Hoover, describing his mindset on being gentle with early jets. Flying The Feathered Edge is a great documentary that’s now on iTunes. It lets us spend 90 minutes with maybe the world’s greatest pilot. That’s a pretty good way to relax over the holidays.
Perfection, Zero Error, Flawless Performance
Zero errors is an impossible goal. What we should work on is catching our errors early. This is from a book on High Reliability Organizations (HROs): It’s an excellent book, a classic. The latest (2015) edition is on Amazon
Harrison Ford Talks (Some) Flying
“When the engine quit, my training had prepared me to deal with it in a way. I really didn’t get scared. I just got busy. I knew what I was going to do, and I knew how to do it. The mantra aviators carry around in our heads is: Fly the airplane, first thing. Fly the airplane — even if …
How to be a Champion Pilot, by a Champion Pilot
Kirby is five time US National Aerobatic Champion and two time Red Bull Air Race World Champion. His website is www.teamchambliss.com
Peter Isler’s Sailing Secrets
Peter Isler won the America’s Cup twice, and has a long amazing biography of sailing achievements. He also wrote a book of sailing secrets. I just read it, looking for seamanship secrets we can use as pilots. And guess what, the secrets really aren’t that secret! There were some ideas that directly translate to flying. Here’s one that resonated: Behind …