“Monte Carlo should be driven smoothly and quietly … You’re doing it with gentleness, you’re being kind to your motor car, it’s being kind to you. You’re great friends, you’re married, you’re having a fantastic affair, everything’s united, you’re not arguing with anyone, when you change gear there’s no rush to change gear.” The 1972 documentary by Roman Polanski about …
Tag: simplicity
Preflight Like a Zen Master Drinking Tea
It’s hard to do a good preflight. It’s hard to see all that is in front of us. One thing that may help is to preflight like a Zen master drinking tea. Quote is from Thich Nhat Hanh. Photo is Capt. Andy Alfiero and a KC-135R Stratotanker before flying a refueling mission over the Persian Gulf, Aug. 30, 2013. (USAF …
Captain Jean-Luc Picard on Flying Machines
We live in an amazing age, we can fly airplanes. Quote is Starfleet Captain Picard talking to Commander Riker, in the TV show Star Trek: The Next Generation, episode ‘Booby Trap’. Set in the year 2366.
The Sky in My Mind
(Quote is from a 15 March 2016 Rolling Stone interview.) Lots of science now adding to lots of personal testimonies that a little meditation every day reaps huge rewards in life. Better focus, better calm attention, less distracted. All this can make you a better pilot. So why don’t aren’t more people trying it?
The Secrets of the Wave Pilots
There is a wonderful long-read article in Sunday’s New York Times Magazine titled The Secrets of the Wave Pilots. It never mentions flying or airmanship, but it’s thought-provoking contemplative stuff for any aviator concerned about visual flying skills. And it’s an in-depth romp through animal navigation, GPS, modern brain science and almost lost ancient knowledge. The glue of the story …
Nature’s Mysteries
Our flying journeys are always revealing new landscapes, outer and inner.
Inner Game Article
“Players also pretend that it’s all about winning, but if that were true, why don’t you just play someone you know you can beat every time? What we really want is a challenge, and what tennis teaches us is how to overcome doubts and fears.” Tim Gallway Here’s a fantastic article on the original Inner Game of Tennis. Has cool …
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.
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.
Best Way to be a Pilot …
Quote from his excellent book QF32.