There are times when you devote yourself to a higher cause than personal safety. John Glenn, first US astronaut to orbit the Earth, on this day 1962. Maybe true for pioneering test pilots, less so for us regular pilots. Original NASA photo from a camera aboard the Mercury-Atlas 6 spaceflight captures Glenn as he uses a photometer to view a sunset.
Outraged woman asks Pablo Picasso why simple bar sketch will cost 5000 Francs, since he drew it in only five minutes: “No, madam, it took me my whole life.” Maybe your old airline captain isn’t overpaid for that landing?
Former Concorde instructor Captain Mike Riley on how we teach ourselves to fly. We need good lessons, but ultimately it’s an inner game. Photo from my flight in the Brooklands Concorde simulator. Quote in Mike’s The Concorde Stick and Rudder Book.
This quote comes from Mike Riley’s little gem, The Concorde Stick and Rudder Book. You don’t fight an plane — you understand its ways and set the controls to let her fly well. Even, as it turns out, Concorde. Mike Riley was a British Airways captain who instructed in the B707, VC10 and Concorde. He also instructed in light aircraft, and flew/trained/judged World Championship aerobatics.
Know what comes next. Captain Harry Linfield Harry Linfield, Concorde captain & instructor, when I asked him in the Brooklands Concorde simulator what good pilots did well. He has instructed in RAF Jet Provosts, B707s, Concorde and after retiring, in piston Cessna’s. He told me whatever the speed, stay ahead of the aeroplane. And know what you are going to do next.
