EAA Sport Aviation - February 2012

ROD HIGHTOWER

COMMENTARY / TOWER FREQUENCY

Aviation
Lifestyle

The next level

YOU KNOW THE DRILL. Earn certif-
icate, then take all your friends
and family flying until they
won’t fly with you anymore.

Then, usually through the influence of your fellow aviators, you discover the $100 hamburger and wing off into the expansion of your social flying circles with new adventures in new places.

If airplane ownership has come your way, you most likely find yourself in the type club that has built itself around your particular airplane. These type clubs are fabulous creations within the wide world of aviation and deliver huge value.

From maintenance and operating support to specialized safety training and the now more-popular-than-ever network of passionate owners who seem always willing to lend a helping hand or share their knowledge with other members of “the brotherhood.” And it’s for sure a brotherhood, sometimes even cult-like. Ever been to a gathering of Waco types? They have their own “secret handshake”—it’s called “explain the model numbering system of Waco airplanes.” I’ve seen nothing in my aviation life more effective at sorting out the unworthy than that technique.

And, assuming you are an EAA member, you are now transforming yourself from the ever-so-plentiful status of pilot, to the much more appreciated flier known as an aviator. Yes, I’m throwing down the gauntlet; there is a difference between a pilot and an aviator.

So what’s the difference between a pilot and an aviator, you
ask? Plenty, is my short answer. But the fundamentals are two
things—attitude and experience.

I met a pilot the other day who regaled me with his day VFR adventure in a rented Piper Arrow visiting a fraternity brother while on spring break. The good news: He survived the ordeal. Compare that to a gentleman I met during a recent unplanned stop in Kankakee, Illinois. After I had secured the airplane, stripped off several layers of clothing, and poured a cup of coffee, the stranger

said, “Those G models don’t like the ice much, do they?” Now we’re talking to an aviator, and boy was he! Thousands of hours in nearly every legendary airplane known and experiences that reveal an inner core of intelligence, respect for limitations, trustworthiness, and confidence.

In aviation we have some experiences available to us that can take us to the next level. Experiences such as instrument ratings, seaplane ratings, ATPs, multiengine ratings, and others. These are wonderful enhancements to your pilot skills and unquestionably progress your journey from pilot to aviator. But there are two experiences that will make you sit up and take stock of what you are really made of— aerobatics and formation flying. Think you’re smooth? Think you know just how much of what is needed in any situation you may find yourself in?

As the old saying goes, you don’t know
what you don’t know.

During a recent formation flight clinic, I was assigned the “second look” at a wingman candidate. Now, “second look” can have two meanings in formation flying. First, and most noble, is the “I think he’s ready for the checkride, and need your assessment of his skills and my judgment” second look. And then there is the “He thinks he’s ready, but he’s not, and I need your support before we break the bad news” second look.

Unfortunately, the wingman candidate was the latter “second look” type. A high time airline captain who was disappointed, as you would imagine, at being given the bad news. But, he had the right attitude, took two more training sorties, and was rewarded with his wingman card during the last checkride of the clinic.

An aviator reaching for the next level is to be respected for his or her aviation passion and professionalism that is most likely supported by the right attitude and drive for more experience.

You’ll find some links to various formation flying clinics under the “Tower Frequency” heading on www.SportAviation.org. I encourage you to reach for the next level on your journey from pilot to aviator.