Why Do You Fly?
The Original Whirly
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Why Do You Fly?
It seems to me that there are two main reasons why people take up flying.
Firstly, there are those who are into machines, gadgets, anything mechanical. They know all about aircraft, have studied them for years, bought every flying mag there is - and finally want to have a go at actually flying them. They have no problems whatsoever with Aircraft Technical exams; they knew it all beforehand anyway. Nav and met tend to get to them though; maybe there's justice in this world after all
Secondly there are those of us who...want to be like birds, or like trying new things, or do things on impulse, or similar. We're into flying, but not necessarily aircraft. Books on engines and aerodynamics we view as insomnia cures, even if they're necessary. We might do well in exams, but it's by hard graft, not natural interest - but we gotta do it to be legally allowed to get up there in the sky where no-one can touch us!!!
Well, is there any truth in this? Which type are you? Or do you fly for some totally different reason altogether?
Firstly, there are those who are into machines, gadgets, anything mechanical. They know all about aircraft, have studied them for years, bought every flying mag there is - and finally want to have a go at actually flying them. They have no problems whatsoever with Aircraft Technical exams; they knew it all beforehand anyway. Nav and met tend to get to them though; maybe there's justice in this world after all
Secondly there are those of us who...want to be like birds, or like trying new things, or do things on impulse, or similar. We're into flying, but not necessarily aircraft. Books on engines and aerodynamics we view as insomnia cures, even if they're necessary. We might do well in exams, but it's by hard graft, not natural interest - but we gotta do it to be legally allowed to get up there in the sky where no-one can touch us!!!
Well, is there any truth in this? Which type are you? Or do you fly for some totally different reason altogether?
..might as well use it...until the government introduces a "sky tax"
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Bit of both. Not interested in the mechanical stuff (but fascinated by the physics 
), but mainly just enjoy the challenge. However, being up there on a clear, calm summer's evening is a definite attraction too 
), but mainly just enjoy the challenge. However, being up there on a clear, calm summer's evening is a definite attraction too
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I'm a machines, gadgets, anything mechanical one.....I really HATE sitting in traffic jams on the motorway....
BUT it also gives me a hell of a buz!
What really appeals to me is flying like in 'The Golden age'....Where you just jump in your bird, and head off in whatever direction you like...put it down in a field, fill up with petrol from a petrol station, and when you see your mate walking across the airfield on your way home, you dive bomb hime for a laugh
Every read Marrazan by Nevil Shute....thats my sort of flying !
Cheers
EA
BUT it also gives me a hell of a buz!
What really appeals to me is flying like in 'The Golden age'....Where you just jump in your bird, and head off in whatever direction you like...put it down in a field, fill up with petrol from a petrol station, and when you see your mate walking across the airfield on your way home, you dive bomb hime for a laugh
Every read Marrazan by Nevil Shute....thats my sort of flying !
Cheers
EA
This is a fascinating question which I have been frequently been asked, especially by Mrs P when she looks at our bank statement.
Having gone back to flying after a break of 23 years I have thought often about it and, for me, there are many reasons. My second incarnation as a pilot has provided me with a huge buzz, first solo and especially QXC will remain fixed as delightful memories.
The paramount reason why I fly, however, is that I love controlling machines. I love driving (just as well because I do a lot), I love helming boats and flying aeroplanes.
The smoother and more effortless the operation the happier I am. I find it strangely satisfying. Because it's three dimensional, flying has got to be ultimate, and the best moment in any flight has got to be the final turn for landing properly executed. If I could afford it I would fly a jet because this provides the ultimate in smooth control - I once did military circuits in a JP5 and I found this particularly satisfying.
Looking at the ground, clouds and the satisfaction of a well executed XC are also reasons to fly. Conversely, a bad flight makes me think of giving up, until the next good one.
Other reasons why I fly are that I like being a member of a "club" with like minded people, which is also a good reason to be on Pprune.
Having gone back to flying after a break of 23 years I have thought often about it and, for me, there are many reasons. My second incarnation as a pilot has provided me with a huge buzz, first solo and especially QXC will remain fixed as delightful memories.
The paramount reason why I fly, however, is that I love controlling machines. I love driving (just as well because I do a lot), I love helming boats and flying aeroplanes.
The smoother and more effortless the operation the happier I am. I find it strangely satisfying. Because it's three dimensional, flying has got to be ultimate, and the best moment in any flight has got to be the final turn for landing properly executed. If I could afford it I would fly a jet because this provides the ultimate in smooth control - I once did military circuits in a JP5 and I found this particularly satisfying.
Looking at the ground, clouds and the satisfaction of a well executed XC are also reasons to fly. Conversely, a bad flight makes me think of giving up, until the next good one.
Other reasons why I fly are that I like being a member of a "club" with like minded people, which is also a good reason to be on Pprune.
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Excellent question Whirlybird, and I definitely fall in to the second category. Like pulse1, I get a real buzz out of sailing and the similarities are quite evident.
Unfortunately, I'm very self critical so I'll never have the perfect flight but what I enjoy most is learning the different skills such as aviating and putting them together with RT and navigating in such a way that they become seemless. I get a hell of a kick out of delivering a good quality RT transmission to say, London FIS, with all the relevant information included first time - it doesn't happen that often but when it does, I feel great.
The same applies flying itself. When I do a good approach such as the one last night and almost grease it I feel like coming on all American
and punching the air etc.
The ground studies I found a bit of a drudge but I have found a renewed fascination for Meteorology now and also when you can let someone else experience the freedom of the skies as I did last night it just feel like I am totally alive!
Just to add that the other great thing about flying is that you never stop learning and you can never be too good. I reckon that I could have 50000 hours, be 65 and still find out new stuff.
Unfortunately, I'm very self critical so I'll never have the perfect flight but what I enjoy most is learning the different skills such as aviating and putting them together with RT and navigating in such a way that they become seemless. I get a hell of a kick out of delivering a good quality RT transmission to say, London FIS, with all the relevant information included first time - it doesn't happen that often but when it does, I feel great.
The same applies flying itself. When I do a good approach such as the one last night and almost grease it I feel like coming on all American
and punching the air etc.The ground studies I found a bit of a drudge but I have found a renewed fascination for Meteorology now and also when you can let someone else experience the freedom of the skies as I did last night it just feel like I am totally alive!
Just to add that the other great thing about flying is that you never stop learning and you can never be too good. I reckon that I could have 50000 hours, be 65 and still find out new stuff.
Last edited by sennadog; 2nd Aug 2002 at 15:19.
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Why do I fly? Hmmm that’s a good one partly both of Whirly’s suggestions. I like machines…well some of ‘em the feeling of sweeping through a series of bends on a motorbike tast a’la café racer or magestically a’la hawg.
The feeling has you shut down the donkey and a boat moves under sail…the as the engine noise dies away and all that remains is the sound of water and the thrumming of the leech (until you pull the leech line). Or the chirp of the main gear on touchdown all incredibly evocative to a saddo like me.
The quiet satisfaction of a turning point or destination turning up where you expect it when you expect it – this is the same no matter if it’s the Lizard after 4 1/2 weeks alone enroute from FL. Or Dungeness power station after a 20 minute murky Channel crossing from Le tooks.
Then again as Evo said there’s not much quite like flying on a pleasant still evening going nowhere just around… throw in a few steep turns and try to hit your own wake. There’s nobody here so why not throw in a few bars of a badly sung song at the same time… climbing on Magee’s ‘laughter silvered wings high in the tumbling mirth’
Knowing that, for now, you are in complete control of your machine yet at the same time in an unforgiving environment that will rise up and smite you without a backward glance.
The look on somebody’s face when you’ve taken them for their first ride in a light aircraft and you know that you’ve just sown the seeds of another pilot
Why are my eyes brown – cause they are
Why am I left handed - cause I am
Why do I fly – cause I do
The feeling has you shut down the donkey and a boat moves under sail…the as the engine noise dies away and all that remains is the sound of water and the thrumming of the leech (until you pull the leech line). Or the chirp of the main gear on touchdown all incredibly evocative to a saddo like me.
The quiet satisfaction of a turning point or destination turning up where you expect it when you expect it – this is the same no matter if it’s the Lizard after 4 1/2 weeks alone enroute from FL. Or Dungeness power station after a 20 minute murky Channel crossing from Le tooks.
Then again as Evo said there’s not much quite like flying on a pleasant still evening going nowhere just around… throw in a few steep turns and try to hit your own wake. There’s nobody here so why not throw in a few bars of a badly sung song at the same time… climbing on Magee’s ‘laughter silvered wings high in the tumbling mirth’
Knowing that, for now, you are in complete control of your machine yet at the same time in an unforgiving environment that will rise up and smite you without a backward glance.
The look on somebody’s face when you’ve taken them for their first ride in a light aircraft and you know that you’ve just sown the seeds of another pilot
Why are my eyes brown – cause they are
Why am I left handed - cause I am
Why do I fly – cause I do
High Flying Bird
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Very very poetic Ace Rimmer! I can't follow that, so I'll keep it simple.
Because I love machines and being in control of them, enjoy the buzz of being up in the air, the freedom, the challenge, the history. I also really enjoy the company of pilots! I've never met anyone involved in aviation I didn't like
Oooh, and the smell of Avgas... wonderful!
I can't follow that, so I'll keep it simple.Because I love machines and being in control of them, enjoy the buzz of being up in the air, the freedom, the challenge, the history. I also really enjoy the company of pilots! I've never met anyone involved in aviation I didn't like
Oooh, and the smell of Avgas... wonderful!
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I have pages and pages of waffle stored on a dusty floppy disk at home which I add to from time to time on this subject. That way, I've reasoned, when I'm a top notch daredevil aviatrix I can also be an celebrated diarist, compounding my glory! 
That says a lot about why I want to fly, but in this space... Well, I think I have a certain yen to be remarkable. Or at least do remarkable things. And flying just seems to have taken over my mind now; I'm totally obsessed!
That says a lot about why I want to fly, but in this space... Well, I think I have a certain yen to be remarkable. Or at least do remarkable things. And flying just seems to have taken over my mind now; I'm totally obsessed!
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Ace - very profound. (We must catch up soon ! Jodhpurs permitting of course.)
Why do I fly? The sense of being in control; That weird eery feeling on a summers evening when it's calm, still and leaves you feeling on top of the world; the satisfaction of getting over those hurdles when you never imagined you would (first solo, first solo local area, first nav ex, first away landing, etc); the enthusiasm and friendliness of fellow pilots; need I go on?
Why do I fly? The sense of being in control; That weird eery feeling on a summers evening when it's calm, still and leaves you feeling on top of the world; the satisfaction of getting over those hurdles when you never imagined you would (first solo, first solo local area, first nav ex, first away landing, etc); the enthusiasm and friendliness of fellow pilots; need I go on?
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Why? Because it's there?
Perhaps it's because I think that conquering the skies is mankind's greatest triumph over nature. I understand the physics but it still never ceases to amaze me that 300 tonnes of metal, composites, fuel and self-loading-freight can get into the air, let alone navigate itself across the globe and (for the most modern airliners) even land itself and make the tea.
I want to be a part of that. But since I'm only a humble PPL I pride myself in the knowledge that less than 1% of the population hold a pilot's licence. Hence I fly, at great expense(can't be many hobbies that are this costly) because I can. Because it's there. Because I'm far more likely to get flattened going from A to B via the A1M than going via EGNH, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, enough waffle, I still want to know what Aerbabe's bottle trick is all about....
Perhaps it's because I think that conquering the skies is mankind's greatest triumph over nature. I understand the physics but it still never ceases to amaze me that 300 tonnes of metal, composites, fuel and self-loading-freight can get into the air, let alone navigate itself across the globe and (for the most modern airliners) even land itself and make the tea.
I want to be a part of that. But since I'm only a humble PPL I pride myself in the knowledge that less than 1% of the population hold a pilot's licence. Hence I fly, at great expense(can't be many hobbies that are this costly) because I can. Because it's there. Because I'm far more likely to get flattened going from A to B via the A1M than going via EGNH, if you know what I mean.
Anyway, enough waffle, I still want to know what Aerbabe's bottle trick is all about....
