In the news today, living and dying

Two big news stories today. One sad one happy. Both involve unique planes and expert pilots that I’ve flown with a few times. The sad one first: Man Killed in Plane Crash at Covington Airport was Avid Pilot I flew with Lance Hooley several times in the A320, about 14 years ago, when I was a first officer at the airline we both work at. Worked at I should say, in Lance’s case. That’s hard to write. He was an engaging intelligent pilot. Talked with him last just a few months ago, on a jetbridge taking a jet he had flown in. Yesterday he … Continue reading In the news today, living and dying

Safety is number three

#1 Don’t Panic. #2 #3 Safety. “Safety third. There’s not even a Rule Number Two. But even though there’s nothing in second place, safety is not getting promoted to number two.” Elon Musk’s family rules show a mature understanding of the fallacy of ‘safety first’. There’s lots of other good stuff in this long Rolling Stone interview 30 November 2017.

Jimmy Chin on managing fear

Jimmy Chin is one of the best mountain climbers alive. He knows fear. And how to manage it: The full quote, from Outside magazine 19 October 2015: Fear is always there, it’s a survival instinct. You just need to know how to manage it. It’s about sorting out perceived risk from real risk, and then being as rational as possible with what’s left.  Am I in control of the situation?  Do I possess the skills and capabilities to succeed? If you answer yes to these kinds of questions, go.  But if you answer no, have the guts to turn around. Don’t … Continue reading Jimmy Chin on managing fear