Page 26 - Volume 17 Number 5

I agree they all provide a valuable path to the accumulation of experience. But I didn’t say flying experience, I said initial training. What military training does is create brain muscle-memory that makes detailed, fast-paced learning an expected technique and instills habit patterns. And, most importantly, maturity. Experience then makes a more competent pilot out of all of us – and in the flying business, experience is measured by hours in the seat.It’s hard to believe that there is so much to learn and see in this flying business after all these years and 20,000 hours at the pointy end of airplanes; there are still new things to see and learn – astonishing. It seems like only yesterday I was 16 and, with shaking knees, taxied out in a Mooney Cadet for my first solo. You would think that I should have figured it all out by now, but the adage that you learn something on every flight is indeed true. I’m still learning.Their MistakesI hope you found ejection seat training interesting. If you are bristling for an argument on the training subject, though, let me add this conciliatory flag of truce: After initial training, as experience accumulates, most of us merge to a comparable level of capability. Some of the best training you can acquire is derived from living through situations and mistakes. The best wayto get to that point is by spending time in the air and by learning from the mistakes and misfortunes of our brother aviators. NASA reports, stories from “There I Was” type columns and accident/incident summaries are good sources. Study the mistakes of others and often, when flying, you will get a twinge of déjà vu and feel that a mistake is about to be repeated. You may then recall that it wasn’t a mistake you’ve made; it was a mistake you read about that some other pilot made.Spring is a great time to fly in the U.S. The season of ice is, for the most part behin•d us, and thunderstorm season has yet to begin. So unless you’re ready to bail, go put some hours in the seat. T&TKevin Dingman has been fly- ing for 40 years. He’s an ATP typed in the B737 and DC9 with 19,000 hours. A retired Air Force Major, he flew the F-16 then performed as a USAF Civil Air Patrol Liaison Offi- cer. He flies volunteer missions for the Christian organization Wings of Mercy, is employed by a major airline, and owns and operates a Beech- craft Duke. Contact Kevin at Dinger10d@gmail.com.24 • TWIN & TURBINE MAY 2013