David,

For the most part, I agree with your statement that in general, as a group we are "extremely serious about our planes and take flying and planning and weather and training extremely seriously".  But there are some that aren't that serious, some get away with it, and others make the headlines.  I bet there are some dead pilots who dropped their "seriousness" level for just a few minute and paid the ultimate price.

 

Smart, careful, "extremely serious" pilots can do some very stupid things.

 

Pilots tend to have a very high opinion of themselves, me included.  Otherwise we wouldn't have the self-confidence to glue together an airplane an fly it across the country.  David, you are making a serious error in judgement if you think that because you're "serious" you can't screw up.  That goes for me too, never believe you aren't capable of being an idiot!

 

What we have in our hangars is a light general aviation aircraft; not a go anywhere, go anytime, go through anything, land anywhere airplane.

 

Since flying my Lancair, I've bought some last-minute plane tickets, left the bags in the car and drove, and delayed departures.  I think the ratio is about 50-50.  I like Rick's idea of logging the non-flights too.

 

I personally believe the 1,000 hour Lancair pilots got to 1,000 because they ARE safe, not safe because they have 1,000 hours.

 

Mike Easley

Colorado Springs

< < <1,000 hours