Airmanship Quotes

Travis Fimmel on passion. And work.

By Dave English

“There’s always that thing where you see people complain about their career and you know they haven’t worked hard enough. ‘Oh, we don’t get the opportunities,’ they tell me. I went to class with you. You didn’t stay there the whole time, you didn’t go watch extra classes. I grew up working hard and never wanted to blame anybody if I couldn’t make it work. I work hard with pride and I want to be good at whatever I do. My passion is kind of a pride-passion. I’ll outwork anyone. For me, you have to be really good to be … Continue reading Travis Fimmel on passion. And work.

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.)