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Here, Here! Monty
I recently spent a morning with a distant relative
who was a fanatic golfer - his life really revolved around it. For him, it
was the best of all worlds, it got his juices flowing, he got a thrill
from it, it is relatively safe (even considering lightening, runaway golf carts
and errant golf balls) and it gave him a reason (at a fairly advanced age)
to get up in the morning. But, alas, like yourself, while I have played
and do not hate it by any means - its just not something that gives meaning to
my life.
I am one of those guys who would never leave a
perfectly good aircraft voluntarily -unlike some of my fellow rotorheads
{:>) - too high a risk factor for my comfort. But, yet
having fortunately survived a few close calls, I think "meaning" is the key factor.
No matter what it is, or what the
risk is involved - if it gives meaning to you life, then you are drawn to
it like a moth to a candle.
So those on this list (whether they recognize it or want
to admit it) simply belong to a group of individuals who are willing to
undertake a certain level of risk (perhaps higher than the
normal pilot population) - furthermore, as a group we believe we have
the skills, knowledge, experience and otherwise wherewithall to moderate
that risk to an acceptable level. Also, The very fact we belong to
this list indicates we are intelligent enough to understand the wisdom of
learning from other's mistakes. We are willing to take a calculated risk
but few will gamble their lives.
Yet, underlying it all it the fact, that it is
seldom the risk we are prepared for that does us in - it’s generally a
scenario that appears total safe and comfortable that frequently ends the
run. I think of Scott Crossfield, first man to fly twice the speed of
sound, and test pilot extraordinary is a clearly risky profession -
who encounter a situation on a comparatively safe and normal flight in his
Cessna 210 that ended his run.
We continue on despite the risk (because of it?) because
it gives meaning to our lives. So it must have to Mike and others who
undertook to play in an environment that presents both risks, challenges and
true sense of accomplishment.
With each such event, I ask myself - "is it time to hang
up the wings?" - but, then I almost get creamed by a errant driver on a
narrow two lane road and come to the conclusion that there are so many
other greater probability causes of my demise - that one of them will in all
likely hood do me in before my flying. So I justify (or rationalize) my
continued engagement in a endeavor which gives meaning to my life (and an
occasional thrill).
Ed
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 6:55 PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Mike Wills
Lets you know you are alive though. I'd hate to
live a totally risk free existence. golfing is
relatively safe and I'd rather take a beating than play a round. I like to go
fishing in the ocean...that kills people too. So does driving fast. Skiing,
motorcycling, hunting, hiking, boating. Come to think of it there are not many
non-risky behaviors that I consider "fun". They may be satisfying...but not
fun. Risk and fun seem to be intertwined in some primal way. At least
in my peculiar wiring.
I know all the nervous Nellie control freaks want
to make the world safe from itself.....but
I think I'll go raise a glass to those who have
gone in the pursuit of fun. There are far worse ways to go, and far worse things
to give ones life for.
Monty
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 6:36
PM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Mike Wills
It is always a gut wrenching thing when we loose one of
our own.
There but by the grace of God go I..
This game we play at is terribly unforgiving of any
oversight.
On Saturday we lost two of our own community here in
Portland.
Michael in Maine
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, July 19, 2010 9:57
AM
Subject: [FlyRotary] Re: Mike
Wills
Sorry to report that we lost a fine friend and fellow
rotor-head yesterday.
Mike Wills was doing what he loved
(flying, this time in a glider) when apparently he ran out of thermal lift
and couldn't find more before having to make an off field landing.
Very few facts in yet but sounds like a wing clipped a tree before he went
in. He will be missed.
Tracy
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