Author: Dave English

Airmanship at a distance

By Dave English

This is a sad story. But important to think about. For we are all our brother’s keeper. The news headline this weekend was ‘Flight school sued over death of student‘. Fox5 reported: A 21-year-old’s dream of becoming a pilot was cut short when during flight school his plane came crashing down, killing him, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in Cobb County. The father of the young man filed that suit alleging the school was negligent by forgetting to refuel the plane. “I don’t want another family to experience that kind of loss,” said Michael Hughes. This was the reason … Continue reading Airmanship at a distance

Preflight like a Zen master drinking tea

By Dave English

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 photo 130830-F-YL744-259)

Pablo Picasso on what counts

By Dave English

The plane knows nothing of your intentions to soar like an eagle. The plane knows nothing of your good intentions about being a safe, smooth, expert pilot. Carefully reading the checklist, actually checking the weather, applying the right rudder pressure, these are the things that count. Don’t intend to be a great pilot. Just work on being a good pilot. The eagle thing will come. (Pablo Picasso quote is from his ‘Statement to Marius De Mayas’, 1923.)

What’s your ambition?

By Dave English

Michael Schumacher is a seven-time Formula One World Champion, and widely regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time. What’s your ambition? To be an OK pilot? Just mediocre? Or are you going to work on being better? It’s not luck or talent. It’s work. And it’s your choice. (Quote from Daily Mail newspaper, 13 September 2006.)