Who're the best pilots?
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,275
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From: Dunnunda & Godzone
Gentlemen
Interesting as this thread is it really doesn't have much to do with D & G issues.
I am moving it to Non Transport issues.
It is easy to get into the habit of just checking out our local patch, there are many very interesting forums worth trolling when it gets slow on D & G.
If you use the full resources of PPRuNe as I do you will learn heaps about other fascinating parts of this wonderful industry and the aviation world in which we work.
Enjoy
Interesting as this thread is it really doesn't have much to do with D & G issues.
I am moving it to Non Transport issues.
It is easy to get into the habit of just checking out our local patch, there are many very interesting forums worth trolling when it gets slow on D & G.
If you use the full resources of PPRuNe as I do you will learn heaps about other fascinating parts of this wonderful industry and the aviation world in which we work.
Enjoy
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 0
From: Bai, mi go long hap na kisim sampla samting.
I'm gunna go with the mustering pilot (bet you cant guess what I do for 1100 hrs a year) and I might add that I get scared and nose bleeds over 500 feet and I really hope that I dont end up as tomorrows accident..........but by jingo's you wanna see what I can do with an airplane. 
and before all you sad sacks get on my case, I am very profesional..its my living and I am fortunate enough to do leagally what most of you pilot fella's (and non fella's) would like to do when noone is looking.
and before all you sad sacks get on my case, I am very profesional..its my living and I am fortunate enough to do leagally what most of you pilot fella's (and non fella's) would like to do when noone is looking.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: UK
Considering I was one, i'm gonna have to say Tug Pilot. I flew a Pawnee though and seeing what an Ag-jock can do with one of those, I might change my mind to Ag Pilot......Oh, I dunno it's all to hard <img src="confused.gif" border="0">
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Henley-on-Thames, UK
Glider pilots; you have to follow the tug (not lift the tail up and kill them), fly efficiently (stick and rudder/ needle and ball/ keeping the string in the middle), aviod hitting hills, each other at very close distances; look for more lift then land every time with no engine to bail you out if you cock it up a bit...
yp
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"It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill" -Wilbur Wright
yp
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"It is possible to fly without motors, but not without knowledge and skill" -Wilbur Wright
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 492
Likes: 1
From: Manchester, UK
The BEST pilot would not consider him or herself to be the Best pilot - because they would constantly be striving to improve and be a better pilot.
Not out of any competitive or comparitive sense (because that is where many inherent dangers lie) but out of a sense of self improvement and spiritual satisfaction. There's never any room for smugness or self satisfction until you've finished your flying for the day and can look back on it (and even then you'll find a million things you wished you'd done better).
There was a great article the other week on <a href="http://www.avweb.com" target="_blank">www.avweb.com</a> about being an airplane pilot versus being an airplane driver. Excellent read.
Not out of any competitive or comparitive sense (because that is where many inherent dangers lie) but out of a sense of self improvement and spiritual satisfaction. There's never any room for smugness or self satisfction until you've finished your flying for the day and can look back on it (and even then you'll find a million things you wished you'd done better).
There was a great article the other week on <a href="http://www.avweb.com" target="_blank">www.avweb.com</a> about being an airplane pilot versus being an airplane driver. Excellent read.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
From: DFW, Tx - USA
I think nzer has come closest, because the "best" pilots are .......
OLD pilots.
If your moustache/beard is NOT gray, then you can NOT be in the "best" category. All the rest of y'all are "wannabe's".
dAAvid -
edited 'cause someone moved the "T" key on me
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
[ 11 January 2002: Message edited by: AA SLF ]</p>
OLD pilots.
If your moustache/beard is NOT gray, then you can NOT be in the "best" category. All the rest of y'all are "wannabe's".
dAAvid -
edited 'cause someone moved the "T" key on me
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
[ 11 January 2002: Message edited by: AA SLF ]</p>
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
Anybody who spends a lot of time hands-on, has a deep interest in how their machine works, has never repeated a mistake, and will listen to anybody who seems to have something useful to say.
I once went on a 2 hour ferry trip with an experienced man with about 20 times my hours and at least that much times my experience. At the end of the trip, he insisted on sitting down and discussing what we had BOTH learned from the flight. That's as good way of telling a good pilot as I know, whatever they fly.
If you're talking pure stick and rudder skills, I'd put my money on competition pilots. Whether it's a glider pilot getting the last ounce from a thermal, an aerobatic pilot flying manoeuvres to the nearest foot or degree, a microlight pilot stopping in a 100m box deadstick from 1000ft - anybody having to compete against others on their skill is going to reach the best level of stick and rudder skill.
And no, I'm not a competition pilot, I'm mostly a test pilot. But nonetheless, that's what I think - test piloting skills lie entirely elsewhere.
G
[ 11 January 2002: Message edited by: Genghis the Engineer ]</p>
I once went on a 2 hour ferry trip with an experienced man with about 20 times my hours and at least that much times my experience. At the end of the trip, he insisted on sitting down and discussing what we had BOTH learned from the flight. That's as good way of telling a good pilot as I know, whatever they fly.
If you're talking pure stick and rudder skills, I'd put my money on competition pilots. Whether it's a glider pilot getting the last ounce from a thermal, an aerobatic pilot flying manoeuvres to the nearest foot or degree, a microlight pilot stopping in a 100m box deadstick from 1000ft - anybody having to compete against others on their skill is going to reach the best level of stick and rudder skill.
And no, I'm not a competition pilot, I'm mostly a test pilot. But nonetheless, that's what I think - test piloting skills lie entirely elsewhere.
G
[ 11 January 2002: Message edited by: Genghis the Engineer ]</p>
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,777
Likes: 9
From: Blighty
Hard to say. Each category has it's own skills. In my career, I have flown gliders, various military aircraft, general aviation aircraft, v.large civilian jets, taildraggers, microlights, motorgliders, have instructed on taildraggers, flown competition aerobatics, done glider towing...
.... hey, it must be me!
.... hey, it must be me!
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,114
Likes: 1,088
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
Sorry Dan,
You seem to have missed out severely on rotary qualifications.
Next! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
You seem to have missed out severely on rotary qualifications.
Next! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
From: Planet Earth for a short visit
The best pilots are those that get the most out of their equipment.
When I skydive I am the equipment.
I fly my body.
Therefore I am the best pilot, apart from the birds, time to close this thread I think now the answer has been established.
When I skydive I am the equipment.
I fly my body.
Therefore I am the best pilot, apart from the birds, time to close this thread I think now the answer has been established.
Avoid imitations
Joined: Nov 2000
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 15,114
Likes: 1,088
From: Wandering the FIR and cyberspace often at highly unsociable times
I heard that skydivers do need help with the landing though as their own equipment isn't very efficient at arresting a rate of descent.... <img src="eek.gif" border="0">