Aviation TruthsThe scientific theory I like best is that the rings of Saturn are composed entirely of lost airline baggage. An old pilot is one who can remember when flying was dangerous and sex was safe. Both optimists and pessimists contribute to the society. The optimist invents the airplane, the pessimist the parachute. If helicopters are so safe, how come there are no vintage/classic helicopter fly-ins? Death is just nature's way of telling you to watch your airspeed or rotor RPM. Real planes use only a single stick to fly. This is why bulldozers and helicopters - in that order - need two. As a pilot, only two bad things can happen to you and one of them will:
There are Rules and there are Laws. The Rules are made by men who think that they know better how to fly your airplane than you. Laws (of Physics) were made by the "Great One". You can, and sometimes should, suspend the Rules but you can never suspend the Laws. About Rules: The rules are a good place to hide if you don't have a better idea and the talent to execute it. If you deviate from a rule, it must be a flawless performance. (e.g., If you fly under a bridge, don't hit the bridge.) The ideal pilot is the perfect blend of discipline and aggressiveness. The medical profession is the natural enemy of the aviation profession. Ever notice that the only experts who decree that the age of the pilot is over are people who have never flown anything? Also, in spite of the intensity of their feelings that the pilot's day is over I know of no expert who has volunteered to be a passenger in a non-piloted aircraft. Before each flight, make sure that your bladder is empty and your fuel tanks are full! He who demands everything that his aircraft can give him is a pilot; He that demands one iota more is a fool. There are certain aircraft sounds that can only be heard at night or when over a large expanse of water. The aircraft limits are only there in case there is another flight by that particular aircraft. If subsequent flights do not appear likely, there are no limits. Flying is a great way of life for men who want to feel like boys, but not for those who still are. Flying is a hard way to earn an easy living. Forget all that stuff about lift, gravity, thrust and drag. An airplane flies because of money. If God had meant man to fly, He'd have given him more money. If black boxes survive air crashes - Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff? "If the Wright brothers were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs." - President DELTA Airlines In the Alaska bush I'd rather have a two hour bladder and three hours of gas than vice versa. It's not that all airplane pilots are good-looking. Just that good-looking people seem more capable of flying airplanes. Or so seasoned observers contend. A matter of self-confidence? No doubt, no doubt. I've flown in both pilot seats. Can someone tell me why the other one is always occupied by an idiot? Son, you're going to have to make up your mind about growing up and becoming a pilot. You can't do both. There are only two types of aircraft - fighters and targets. You define a good flight by negatives: you didn't get hijacked, you didn't crash, you didn't throw up, you weren't late, you weren't nauseated by the food. So you're grateful. New FAA Motto: We're not happy till you're not happy!
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