Who're the best pilots?
 

Here's a controversial one....who's the best 'stick and rudder' guys out there? Here's the list:
Airliners
Single-pilot IFR
Flight Instructors
Bush Pilots
Ag Pilots
Mustering Pilots
Military jocks

No ego trips OK. One vote only. The mustering guys got my vote.

Define 'best'.
I can fly a 747 better than a crop duster driver, and vice-versa. We usually get trained for hte job we're supposed to do, and our natural talents, such as they may be, let us blend over to other tasks.
I, for example, can order take-away food like no other pilot I know. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

It is a well known fact that THE BEST are the ones that work for QANTAS mainline.....

The best pilots have all retired. <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Without question........ag pilots

Hmm, how to judge who's the best? Well first I'd want to have some pretty extensive experience of operating in each of your categories, so as to understand the unique demands of each....Then I'd have to have flown with a pretty broad cross-section of drivers in each category to be able to make any kind of judgement about their collective flying ability...And then I probably wouldn't bother anyway 'cause it's all getting too hard... <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Well from my experience in the flying game I would have to go with Ag. pilots as far as stick and rudder skills goes.

For fling wing it would have to be Heli logging.

................
:) The hardest thing about flying is knowing when to say no. :)

Bob Hoover <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0"> <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Unanswerable - each type of flying has it's own specific knowledge, skill, attitudes areas which can be used to make relative assessments within a group, but not across types of flying - and only a few gifted souls excel in one/more types of flying - they do exist and I have met them - for my money, the "best" pilots in any field of aviation are those with "eyes in the backs of their heads", ie, those who anticipate problems and thereby minimise them - and who remember that no matter how good you may think you are or others may tell you you are - the earth is always ready to rise amd smite you - in fact it could be argued the very concept of a "best" pilot is itself contrary to safety = complacency - we are all trying to be "the best" - and safety lies in the "trying" part - I guess that's what professionalism is about? So the "best" pilots are (maybe) those who in their chosen field of aviation always STRIVE to be the best knowing that as a specific goal that is not achievable, because no-one will ever know it all.

those whose # of landing = # of take-offs?

A toss up between a PNG Chopper pilot ..or Tom Cruise . <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

Best "stick and rudder" pilots? None of the above.

The best at pure aircraft handling are the accountants and lawers who fly serious Competition Aerobatics on the weekends.

There is no question about who make the best pilots.
Simulator Technicians !!!!! We can fly any type of aeroplane, every day, anywhere, any Wx and walkaway. No problem! After all, how many pilots are endorsed on more than one type/family at one time?

Ha Ha Ha!!

Kind regards,

TheNightOwl.

There is one Chief Pilot that I know of in PNG,who has got around in the past saying that he is one of the best pilots in PNG (In the top 10, were this top 10 list comes from, bets the hell out of me). Some people just think there $h!t does not stink ! But I tell you what, it would not suprise me if I heard one day that he has ended up in the side of a big rock. He should know better, there is Twin Otter parked at the bottom of a rock not far from where the company is based. <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

Glider Tug Pilots could beat most of the list!

TicketyBoo.

I would have to agree without any doubt at all with TheNightOwl. You and I go back some years mate,as you say always nice to walk out of the BE-JESUS-BOX and endorsed on all types.

the best....................well no doubt bout it at this point in time any way

Kenny Chapman flying the Erricson Skycrane & all the other pilots flying the water bombing aircraft in the horrendous NSW bushfires

My hats off to these guys & girls

& a belated one to the rescue crews during the ill fated S2H back in 99

Just my 2 cents worth

Hang glider pilots, if still living....

Female/Lady f.o's <img src="eek.gif" border="0">

I have seen some of the best Pilots in each of those categories - and also some of the worst. Who is to say that a particular Airline Pilot would not fly an Ag Plane better than a particular Ag Pilot with same currency on type (and vice versa)?

So, I think that the question being asked should have been who is the most current Stick and Rudder Pilot, and the answer to that is obvious.