A mentor of mine put it this way to me one time...

"Good pilots have all the tricks in their bag (ex: like a good slip to a landing when too high on an approach), know how to use them, and often do.

In contrast, the "best" pilots have all those same tricks and skills, but very rarely (if ever) have to use them because they never put themselves in a position where they need to use them."

Using analogy, think of a Sand Wedge, in golfing terms. Every good golfer will have one in their bag, but the best very rarely need to use it, if ever.

 

+1. Well put sir. ADM.

 

Reminds me of the old joke;

"Doctor, it hurts when I do this."

"Well then...don't do that!"

Or as I tell my kids when they compete in sports, "Just do everything right, and there won't be a problem."

And a favorite T shirt slogan, "I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken."

Humans will make mistakes, always, the better pilots know this, plan for it, recognize them early and correct them immediately, before it gets to the Oh Sh!t stage.

 

Believe it or not, American used this in an advertisement many years ago.

 

Knowledge, Flying skill, Judgment.

Pick 3

 

Friend you seem to have a hard go at it. Hope things are well and good in this new year for you mate. Yet, appreciate I do not, you starting by questioning my validity and credibility. Not really the best way to get your audience to listen. I've taken a lot of psychology at UNC-CH and elsewhere, sort of a hobby of mine. I mention such, to shed light on the reality that I can write in a myriad of styles depending on what kind of response I want from my audience. I can make my self sound young and stupid and then I get to sit back and watch how mature or immature a group of pilots is going to be.

Now to answer my own, what makes a "best pilot." And it has nothing to do with flying. The "best" at anything, are those who keep their head out of their ass and listen to those who have been their. "The best" care more about helping others and keeping them safe, and if that means being the last out of a burning plane so be it. "The best" don't go into trouble they avoid it completely. These are all principles which I learned and championed when I was earning my Eagle Scout many years ago and thus I apply such, not only to flying but every activity that I ambitiously undertake. Whether it be leading my troop of scouts through 6 inchs of snow pack, turning around a failing specialty small box retail store or flying a plane, this is what I live by.

In closing, I extend a hand of gratitude to every member on this site that has taken time out of your busy life to respond to me, even if it was just to call me a liar, that time you took for me, means a lot! I will always listen to what you guys have to say, your experience and knowledge are an invaluable asset to a young pilot like myself. Thank you!

 

Yeah I use my sand wedge way to much, on the golf course that is! Thanks mate, very well said indeed!

 

How many guys tried to 'correct' your posts/impressions? Probably all experienced, or very experienced pilots. Instead of trying to understand where they're coming from you found fault. I guess there's a psychology lesson there. One of my favorite college subjects, before you were born, but I digress.

You talk about the best avoiding trouble but say you want to test yourself with thunderstorms and severe turbulence? We've been there, don't like being tested, don't like having to use our experience and realize this is a dangerous business made safe by professionalism, which doesn't include 'testing ourselves' needlessly.

You mentioned listening to those who have been there before you but struggle when it's directed at you. Seems like a psychologidal profile could be built around that.

 

When you start flight training you get issued two bags. One empty bag of experience and one full bag of luck. Your goal is to fill up the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck!

 

Nope. I am listening very, very well. I absorb all, good and bad, what I care to hear or not. I don't want! to test myself, I simply asked if the opportunity presented itself (IE move a plane from CLT to PHL during hurricane Sandy) should I or should I not take the opportunity. That is all friend. Just asking questions and listening to how people respond. Fishing for good advice is what my father called it. But thank you for taking the time to lecture me and trying to correct me. PS experience or no, it never gives anyone the right to call the other a liar.