Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

I guess I am...

Old 13th Jan 2016, 22:13
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I guess I am...

From another thread:

just to show you guys not to be so didactic.
I'm admittedly one of the guys.

I learned a new word, as I had to look it up - "didactic" was not in my lexicon. But, yes, I am...

For 40 years now, well meaning pilots with experience far in excess of mine have shared that experience with me. Everything from the so many pilots who have stopped to offer a kind word, or bit of advice to the wise, to the instructor, who a few years ago yelled at me "What the F*** did you do that for!?!".

In any case, I learned, and became a safer pilot. Now, holding that experience, I can sit back and read flying magazines, and watch goofs on Youtube, or, I can post thoughts here for newer pilots to read, and consider. Perhaps they'll have a bit of good take away...

I believe that knowledge is not owned, it is lent and borrowed - the holder is honour bound to give it back - onward, to the newcomers. I could sit around the flying club - a 40 minute flight away for me, and chat with whomever I meet there, but It seems pretty quiet there these days compared to four decades ago. I suspect that instead of sitting around there, new generation pilots are going home to read here! So, I'll post here!

So sorry if I'm didactic, but it's the one of the ways I know to pay it forward to new pilots, and I owe a lot forward!
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Old 14th Jan 2016, 08:37
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The great thing about knowledge is that sharing it with others isn't a zero sum game. Unlike sharing a bag of sweets (candy for those of you across the pond) where the more you give away, the less you have yourself. Give away your knowledge and you've still got it yourself.

So do please keep sharing - here or anywhere.

Didactic (from Goggle):

"When people are didactic, they're teaching or instructing. This word is often used negatively for when someone is acting too much like a teacher. Didacticism is a philosophy that emphasizes instructional and informative qualities in literature and other types of art. The term has its origin in the Ancient Greek word διδακτικός (didaktikos), "related to education and teaching", and signified learning in a fascinating and intriguing manner."

So I'd ignore the negative connotations Step, and focus on teaching others in a fascinating and intriguing manner
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Old 15th Jan 2016, 09:42
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The great thing about knowledge is that sharing it with others isn't a zero sum game. Unlike sharing a bag of sweets (candy for those of you across the pond) where the more you give away, the less you have yourself. Give away your knowledge and you've still got it yourself
I would actually go further, in sharing your knowledge you gain a deeper understanding, both by explaining it, so having to think more about the subject, and by those you share with asking questions.
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Old 15th Jan 2016, 18:42
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I would actually go further, in sharing your knowledge you gain a deeper understanding, both by explaining it, so having to think more about the subject, and by those you share with asking questions.
Agreed - my father, a retired university professor - always used to tell me that the true test of understanding is being able to explain the subject to others. Given that he spent 40 years teaching advanced mathematical physics, I believe him!

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Old 15th Jan 2016, 22:26
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Step turn

Yes please keep sharing your knowledge with us I know for my part I have a common ground with what you say and learn many things from you and others!
Part of that learning is pulling things apart sometimes questioning conventional teachings!
I think as pilots we all have our way and it is good to look at what others say
Often there is no right or wrong
I also feel that us more experienced pilots tend to examine the detail more I know I can find myself challenging something just so we can dissect it! As stated usually we are not far apart although it can appear so in that process of dissection ))
I know I learn a lot and get to see things in a different light from others in the forums

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Old 15th Jan 2016, 22:44
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It is almost disappointing to see you seeking support. You really ought to know better! Your posts are full of factual knowledge, and lots of experience of flying "at the edge"; with the wisdom you gathered over the years only glimmering between the lines of your excellent writing.

Let them whiners whine! Keep up the good work!

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Old 16th Jan 2016, 02:57
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in sharing your knowledge you gain a deeper understanding, both by explaining it, so having to think more about the subject
This to me is a key theme. I'm not expert in any of this, like everyone here, I have some knowledge, and I find it improves when I have to articulate what I'm thinking.

I can and do learn from 250 hour pilots, and on occasion, I find myself disagreeing with 20,000 hour pilots. Aviation, even the subset of GA, is still too broad for anyone to declare expertise. There are many IFR, glass cockpit, or aerobatic pilots here who can teach circles around me, so I read them with interest.

But when I am reminded (witnessed) that some basic handling skills are being sidelined, I'm going to speak up in defense of basic piloting for its own sake....

Reading here is voluntary, so I don't feel I'm imposing too much by posting, as people can choose not to read. But more, I hope others are inspired to post more too - that's what we're all here for....

So, (chest puffed out a little), I much more warn of, than seek permission for, my posts! - I have more learning I need to do!
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Old 16th Jan 2016, 10:13
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Step Turn

I presume it was the thread on the 182 takeoff which prompted this post
I kept out of that until there was a posting regarding there being no downside to letting the aircraft fly when it wanted too!
Yes in calm conditions with maybe the 182 that may be a safe technique although contrary to the POH
What prompted my post was a concern that pilots may use that technique for other aircraft or worse in conditions where a down draught at too slow a speed could be dangerous!
Please don't take that discussion as anything more than that ! A discussion to talk around the possible downsides of that technique
As I stated in the thread the old slab wing PA32 with a big beefy engine and torque would fly off too early at 62 KTS instead of its POH figure of 80 KTS with potentially disastrous results
I felt those clarifications needed to be added so hope no offence taken

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Old 16th Jan 2016, 11:13
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No offense taken at all Pace, nor the other posters...

The point of that thread was to inspire pilots to think about how they are handling their aircraft on the runway, and ask themselves if, within their skills, and the aircraft's normal capability, what they are doing would result in the least wear and tear on the aircraft. If so, we're good to go...

On occasion, I become aware of a pilot who flies one plane, and flies it the same way regardless of conditions, just because that's what they have gotten used to. That technique will be right some of the time, and acceptable more of the time, but not ideal all of the time....

As I participate here in a spirit of wanting to contribute more than consume, I see myself pointing out other ways of doing things from time to time, and how and why. I always slip in qualifiers or weasel words, so that what I say might not be applicable to all types and conditions!
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Old 16th Jan 2016, 12:32
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FBW, being in a similar game to your f-i-l, while also earning a living in the "real" engineering world and having a treasured life as a pilot, I sometimes think about the different requirements for a successful career in each area. I certainly agree that having to teach a subject sharpens the wits and, when there's fundamental research involved, an open mind on the part of all involved is a pre-requisite for success. Anything that gets in the way of acquisition of knowledge will get the attention of a serious teacher or advisor; one of many impediments is an excessively didactic approach (in the pejorative meaning) on the part of a senior person or organization.

What is clear to me is that, despite what practitioners of any one vocation or profession may think, it really is a case of horses for courses - no-one has all the answers, and we often learn from listening to the questions and insights of others. As this is a conversational forum, let me throw correctness to the wind and observe that in my experience professional pilots hone a regimented and rule-driven approach to aviation and often, I observe, to life in general. This tends to keep us all, as pilots or passengers, alive. I believe that it behoves those of us with careers primarily outside aviation to strive for discipline and professionalism in our flying and, as a small part of that exercise, I enjoy reading and exchanging thoughts on flying with others, in a variety of forums. In doing that, I accept that the material exchanged is usually going to anecdotal and incomplete and, with that in mind, I take the good with the bad and keep the salt cellar at close hand.

In the case of the C182 thread, I was losing the will to live by about the end of the second page and was glad when Mike Hallam and Dave Unwin made some useful points, trying to steer the discussion away from an angels-on-the-point of needle argument. I understand completely that, having once dinged a prop on take-off, Step Turn has a zeal in trying to prevent others suffering the same fate. But like some of the other commentators, I don't believe that means a soft-field take-off is needed or wise under all circumstances. No one in their right mind forces weight on a C182 or any other nose-wheel but, in addition to the type examples mentioned in the thread, there are a number of the VLA/LSA aircraft (some uncertified) in which you don't want to become airborne too soon. Because some of these also have comparatively weak nose-wheels, one has a bit of good technique to practise in anything other than the calmest of conditions. Incidentally, I'm always a bit disappointed in PPRuNe and its denizens that these aircraft receive such scant attention and ill-informed commentary - perhaps an indication that the private flyers need to try that sector a little more?

I don't believe that Step Turn, as the OP, has anything to apologize for in starting the C182 thread but, at the same time, the contrarians' views are entitled to respect. It would be perverse to read what I happen to think was a legitimate observation about the nature of the debate as a personal slight.

Incidentally, I'm not going to use any more column-cm to summarize here the worst aspects of consulting engineers and university professors. The paperback will be out soon, though.
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Old 16th Jan 2016, 23:37
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As instruction is an integral part of piloting at many levels, it's nice to read posts which express dedication to teaching and mentoring of pilots. Though there are certainly well defined courses of study for each different piloting skill, mentoring can play a very important role too, as some of the formal pilot training methods don't fit as well to some aircraft types or operations.
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Old 17th Jan 2016, 03:12
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What a great thread and pertinent to all aspects of aviation I would suggest.
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