When I first started thinking about the Inner Art of Airmanship, I was looking for the common connections between all kinds of flying. Sometimes we find deeper truths that connect more diverse activities. Like how how search for the simplicity of a single line links a seventieth century French painter, Zen brush art, the trajectory of space missions, Formula 1’s …
Vicky Benzing on Risk
In anything that has some level of risk I like to be well practiced. ~ Vicky Benzing, aerobatic and Reno air race pilot. Quoted in Flying magazine, March 2015.
Our Longest, Most Rewarding, Flight
Harrison Ford on Flying
I love training. I love taking on new challenges. Like short strips and crosswinds and tail-wheel airplanes. Confined spaces in helicopters. I like to challenge myself. Always make sure I don’t over challenge myself. Great freedom, great responsibility. I think it’s the mix of the two of them that I really enjoy most of all. Freedom without the responsibility is …
Chuck Yeager’s Advice to Pilots
The Enemy Is …
The mountain is always there. In the cockpit, we must be aware and present.
Ligety on the Perpetual Pursuit
“Even if you’re winning, you’re always trying to find something better.” ~ Ted Ligety, one of the greatest skiers of all time. (Interview in The Red Bulletin, March 2015)
Boeing’s Chief Test Pilot on Risk Management
We think of all the what ifs, we think of getting into the maneuvers, getting out of the maneuvers, we talk about each individual person’s role on that flight. We talk about risk … and we talk about ways that we take the risk and minimize it to the lowest level possible so that we go out and execute the …
Mike Goulian on Flying
“You’re not flying it, it’s a part of you.” “You have to be driven, you have to want to do well, every single time.” ~ Mike Goulian, aerobatic and Red Bull air race pilot. Great video: http://on.fb.me/1Ds3gVu
Soseki on Practice
The aircraft doesn’t hear what you say, only what you do.