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The Nature of Flying

Piloting is a delicate balance between exercising technical and analytical skills while remaining open to more intuitive processes. I know that as an experienced pilot, when I fly, it’s as if I am wearing the aircraft and it obeys my thoughts (usually). I look out on the sky and make decisions based not on simple checklists but on a myriad of signposts and signals. When I am at my best, a flight seems to be a seamless event. If we accept the fact that we have both a rational and a more intuitive side to ourselves, we must also face the fact that flying makes demands on both. Things are further complicated by its relentless nature. In many pursuits we can slip into one mode or another. We can happily do a technical task or take time out for a moment of reverie, starting and stopping as often as we lease. In flying the stakes are higher. We must be skilful, attentive, and intuitive until we are safely on the ground again.  There are very few opportunities to enjoy the moment.

So what has this got to do with instructing? As instructors we are preparing people to exercise a wide range of both rational and intuitive skills, to ultimately wear their aircraft. However it is important that we don’t cut corners or omit the details. Many instructors concentrate only on the mechanical skills, while others leap ahead immediately and overwhelm their students with details.  It is best to use an even pace to instruction.  Teach the fundamental skills first and then move on to the applications.  Given the time limitations it will be important to learn how to shift a student's focus and approach to the changing situations during flight.