Thursday, April 28, 2016

Anyone Can Fly a Plane, But Not Everyone Should

An image of me flying a plane, probably.




Singers are often born with an innate vocal talent and ability. Many athletes are born with certain physiques that allow them to succeed in their sport. According to Certified Flight Instructor David Werntz, anyone can fly a plane. There are no special skills or any biological traits that suggest pilots were meant to be pilots. 

We can all be pilots.

Except me.

I have trouble driving a car for more than two hours without feeling drowsy. And though (according to David) flying a plane requires less active attention and concern, I'm not sure I trust myself to fly a vehicle so sophisticated and heavy and impossibly high in the air. I struggle with the cruise control feature of my SUV.

When I was younger, my great-uncle had a flight simulator on his computer. I would sit up in the chair and "steer" planes (with a poorly attached yoke) until I would inevitably crash the thing into the ocean.  I think I would cry when I crashed the simulator. I felt guilty. I thought to myself, "You're not flying a plane– that would be irresponsible" (yes, at 7-years-old I guess I chastised myself).


Totally manageable. Where's the AUX plug?

And yet, after David's presentation, each time I see a plane flying overhead I have a moment of consideration about what it would be like to be in control of a vehicle so powerful and curious. The small planes, of course... let's not get ahead of ourselves. One of the misconceptions that David cleared up for me was that when the engine fails in the plane it doesn't necessarily mean all is doom and gloom from there. Because of the amount of lift and drag (and depending how high up you're flying) you have minutes and miles to find a safe place to land. It's comforting to know, but I'm not sure this stress case would be able to make the right decisions under pressure. That was another skill that David talked about: confidence and quick decision making under stressful (perhaps dangerous) circumstances. I think that may be the ability that will hold me back from hopping in a plane and learning how to fly. There are so many instances in which crashes and disasters were avoided due to quick thinking and having the confidence to apply what you've learned immediately.

The only aircraft you can trust me to operate.


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