Still amazed

I’ve watched Manfred Radius do aerobatics in his Salto sailplane, and it’s beautiful in a way very different from the fast jets or high-roll-rate biplanes. Always an inspiring show. Doesn’t surprise me that Manfred maintains his wonder of flight. Lose the wonder, the excitement, the enjoyment … and your performance will soon also start to sadly decline. (Original photo credit U.S. Navy, snapped by Edward I. Fagg during the 50th Anniversary Naval Air Station Oceana Air Show)

Fly like an Eagle

I just re-watched the excellent rockumentary History of the Eagles (2013), over four hours on the band that made the biggest-selling album of the twentieth century. The movie has several revealing interviews with members of the legendary band. Contemporary thoughts from the early 70’s, and reflections after 40 years: “Perfection is not an accident.” Glenn Frey “Our goal was just to be the best we could be. We wanted to get better as songwriters and as performers. And we worked on it.” Don Henley “Your whole mandate is just to improve. Life is about improvement.” Glenn Frey “It wasn’t a hobby … Continue reading Fly like an Eagle

Travis Fimmel on passion. And work.

“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.

Gene Cernan on passion

This quote is from the wonderful new documentary The Last Man on the Moon, that’s in cinemas and iTunes/Amazon right now. Cernan’s love of flying powered his amazing career as a Navy fighter pilot, aeronautical engineer, and astronaut. He flew in space three times, including the last Apollo mission where he walked (and drove) on the Moon. The picture was taken by Harrison Schmitt following their third Lunar EVA. His suit is covered in moon dust. (Credit NASA, http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo17/hires/as17-145-22224.jpg)