“The control of fear is a necessary part of the inner work of flight.” William Langewiesche Breathe. Relax. Do the ‘what-if’ work ahead of time. All these are part of the Inner Work of Flight. Quote is from Langewiesche’s 2010 book Aloft: Thoughts on the Experience of Flight. And yes, his Dad wrote the book Stick and Rudder.
Tag: inner game
Just Row
The siren birds look cool, flying around free in the sky. Odysseus is the hero we hear about tied to the mast, getting to listen to their siren song. But better to be the oarsmen. Heads down, doing the work, no distractions. Sometimes we have to ignore the sights and sounds out the window, or in our head, and just …
How Much You Don’t Know
Beginners Mind met Perpetual Pursuit! Always learning. Sometimes embarrassingly large amounts of stuff I was blind about!
The Drama of Flight …
“The drama of flight does not take place between the pilot and the environment, but between the airplane and the pilot, and between the pilot and himself.” David Mamet, Flying magazine Feb 2019. For the first time in years I’m excited for Flying magazine! Mamet has a Pulitzer Prize, Tony nominations, a parody Twitter account, flies his own plane. And now …
I Can’t Get No
“I was never satisfied with simply doing well. Even after getting a good result in a test or a flight, if I’d made a mistake I would want to fix that mistake and ensure I got it perfect for the next time. Back in our quarters I would run my own debrief. I’d go through a flight over and over, …
Richard Bach on Flying’s Core
New Richard Bach words on flying! He’s owned 41 planes, flew jets in the USAF, and as West Coast editor of Flying magazine saw loads more. I asked him what’s core to flying them all? “Flying all these aircraft is based on one single prayer that will never come true: Please let me become the sky. From 10 mph in …
If You Think Adventure is Dangerous . . .
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It’s lethal.” Paulo Coelho If you fly a lot it can become routine. And so a whole new danger-zone has to be faced. Preflights, cruise checks, yawn.
Let Your Mind Wander in Simplicity
Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness. (circa 300 BC) Keep your situational awareness high, trim the plane. (2017)
World’s Okayest Pilot
World’s Best Dad mugs are cute. Michael’s World’s Best Boss mug is funny in The Office. Now there is a World’s Okayest Pilot cup. (It’s a real thing, you can buy them online.) I think it’s pretty funny! A pleasant change from the Top Gun best of the best of the tip of the spear trash talk. And it gets …