CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 2 - 17

CFI TIPS
WHAT IS IT ABOUT AVIATION THAT DRAWS
PEOPLE TOGETHER? Regardless of the occasion,

pilots tend to seek each other out and trade
stories. Even in an online world we find ways to
connect and share our common passion.

A few months ago, I met "Joe" at a work function
and he soon told me that he was a student
pilot who hadn't flown in many years. Once
we discovered that we both have a passion
for aviation we started talking about flying,
naturally. But then Joe asked me what the
scariest thing was that had happened to me while
flying. It was obvious that he was asking so he
could tell his harrowing tale, and sure enough he
told me about one of his flights that could have
ended in disaster. Joe had been flying in the late
afternoon and diverted slightly off course to
avoid traffic. Unfortunately, he failed to correct
back on course. He flew for much too long on
the wrong heading, couldn't find his intended
destination, and daylight hours were waning.
As Joe looked for any suitable airport, sunset
came and went, he busted Class B airspace, and
finally found a suitable airport where he was able
to safely land. But his flight was not over. After
fueling up he discovered that the airport he was
seeking was a mere 20 nautical miles away, so he
took off and flew to his intended destination.

I was happy to hear that Joe had completed the
flight(s) safely and even happier to hear that he
received quite a scolding from his instructor
after the adventure. Among the issues with
the flight and the disregard for regulations, it's
not exactly the way any CFI would want their
student to experience their first night flight. But
Joe's story also made me wonder how many other
people-especially non-pilots-he had shared
it with. And why was he so excited to talk about
his 'near death' experience, his many mistakes,
and his subsequent close calls? While it's useful
for pilots to learn from our mistakes (although
I'm not sure Joe had), for non-pilots this type of
story just makes general aviation seem unsafe.
Why take part in that misperception when you
have the ability to present our industry in a much
more favorable light?
Now, more than ever, we need to talk about the
positive and share the joy. This is not only our
role as ambassadors of general aviation, but it is
our obligation as flight instructors.
For example, one of the most exciting days for
pilots is their first solo. We all remember that day
and it's difficult to talk about it without smiling.
Why not tell that story to others and help inspire
them to find out what it's like for themselves?

I was 17 years old when the CFI at my small
hometown airport unexpectedly said it was time
and I was ready. The thrill of flying an airplane all
alone for the first time, to know that my CFI had
confidence in me, and to successfully complete
three takeoffs and landings, was an experience
like none other in my 25+ years of flying.
As a pilot progresses in her training, if she
pursues an instrument rating she can look
forward to the first time she flies an approach to
minimums and breaks out to see the runway. It
is a beautiful sight, especially at night, and one
that is meant to be shared. We can all appreciate
the focus and precision it takes to achieve these
moments that are all too often shrugged off as
common.
And what about the first passenger you
took flying after receiving your private pilot
certificate? Maybe it was a friend or family
member, and they had complete trust in
your abilities as a pilot. What an enormous
responsibility, and what joy there is in
completing the flight successfully. Undoubtedly,
your passenger still tells the story of that day, and
you should too.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 11 Issue 2

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