- Sat Mar 31, 2012 1:52 pm
#276618
"It doesn't matter what someone flies. A pilot is a pilot and a geek is a geek."
That's certainly not original; just my long time version of what should be an adage if it isn't already. It comes from knowing participants in many forms of aviation and recognizing that it can be applied irrespective of aircraft. None of the following is bias based on "mine is better than yours" as I am equally critical of anyone who commits aviation. Both wings in this discussion have their advantages. The differences have to do with the people and that is what I analyze most closely.
Proper training, the right mindset, awareness and good judgement help make a pilot. Just getting into the air does not.
Proper training can be lacking on both sides of the fence being discussed. We've all seen it, but based on their own admissions many PGs never learned the basic right of way rules and how to fly with other aircraft. PGs have a shorter, steeper learning curve than HGs, so they inherently get less instruction. But that does not absolve them from absorbing the associated knowledge. By "absorb" I mean internalize, not just remembering enough, just long enough, to pass a simple test. IMO, this is the biggest point of failure with PGs as it creates a weak foundation progression up the ladder of competence.
Mindset, judgement and awareness, are more innate to the individual, though they can all be improved over time through the influence of the communities surrounding the pilot-to-be. A quote of mine from a different thread: "Another difference between the groups that affects safety, and this does vary by locale, is that the HG old hands in general are more demanding of their proteges than their PGing counterparts. "Go back and do it right this time" vs. "Eh, that was good enough." Care to make a guess about which one produces the superior outcome?"
With rare exception we can all be better at what we do. Including influencing those around us in a good direction. In my opinion this is the root of what is being discussed here.
Well, that and the tendency of some people to view the world as a series of entitlements. But that's a whole 'nother discussion.
"If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space." - Anonymous