“There is no such thing as luck; there is only adequate or inadequate preparation to cope with a statistical universe.” — Robert Heinlein, ‘Have Space Suit—Will Travel’ (1958). Photo is a very cool little LS-4 single-place sailplane that I was lucky enough to fly last year at Sundance Aviation in Moriarty, New Mexico.
Tag: preparation
Doing Something Uncomfortable
An aerobatic glider instructor I respect a lot counsels pilots wearing parachutes to do one tandem parachute ride. To eliminate a lot of unknowns. To be safer pilots. To experience the fall, the rush, the wind, the brain overload — so that if you ever need to bail out you will not freeze; rather you will orientate and have the headspace to pull …
Anxiety is Caused By . . .
“Anxiety is caused by a lack of control, organization, preparation, and action.” So don’t be anxious flying— be cool. SaveSave
I Never Mount My Machine Until
“Only a cautious person, man or woman, should fly. I never mount my machine until every wire and screw has been tested.” Harriet Quimby. First woman to gain a pilot’s license in the United States and first woman to fly across the English Channel. Good Housekeeping Magazine, September 1912. SaveSave SaveSaveSaveSave SaveSaveSaveSave SaveSave
If I Appear Always Prepared …
Roald Amundsen on Luck
I may say that this is the greatest factor … the way in which every difficulty is foreseen, and precautions taken for meeting or avoiding it. Victory awaits him who has everything in order—luck, people call it. Defeat is certain for him who has neglected to take the necessary precautions in time; this is called bad luck. Roald Amundsen, …