I remember when the chief pilot at the airline where I used to fly said, "Every captain at this airline is an instructor." Most of us laughed, because nothing was further from the truth. There are many highly skilled pilots who can't explain their performance techniques to others. When asked about their techniques by an inquisitive junior pilot, they respond with, "I don't know, just watch what I do."
But the pilots who failed and then gave up could have become CFIs. A flight instructor must have the ability to perform, communicate, and teach. Each of the pilots in question had demonstrated that ability.
In my lifetime, I have made mistakes, learned from those experiences, and kept on working toward my goals. Millions of others have done the same. So why did these capable pilots quit? Do their actions reflect what many people call the "dumbing down of America"? I often hear political pundits and media types say that we can't let people fail; it's bad for their psyche; it's unfair if one individual wins all the prizes; it's unfair if one team wins all the games.
That line of thinking is sick. Competition is healthy.
What really caused the four pilots to give up the goal of becoming flight instructors? Had their previous environment and education never exposed them to failure? Had they never been taught that some of the most successful people in history failed on many occasions while moving up the road to success? Had their past teachers "taught to the test" in order to avoid student failure or to enhance their own performance standings? Had those teachers felt that student self-esteem was more important than achievement? Were the four pilots taught that failure is not their fault but the result of someone else's actions?
For many years I was an assistant scout master for a large Boy Scout troop. That group is goal-oriented. Boys decide what they want to accomplish, and they learn how to reach those goals. Setbacks are common, but the scouts learn that obstacles are a part of life and an opportunity to improve. They learn to stick with it and reap the benefits of hard work.
But many of today's youth seem to think that people who reach their goals just luck out and never encounter major setbacks or challenges that may, at first glance, seem impossible to overcome.
In his book Slouching Towards Gomorrah, Judge Robert H. Bork suggests that most of today's young people form their opinions based on visual images - movies and television. Consequently, they don't have a clue as to how the world really works.
A few years ago, the purchasing agent for an aircraft parts supplier called and ordered the flight training manuals that I publish. When I delivered the manuals, the manager on duty - who was probably in his late twenties - told me that he didn't like my manuals, but the owner wanted to stock them.
"Well, that's not what I normally hear," I told the manager. "Why do you feel that way?"
He said, "Because they don't have enough pictures."
I said, "No kidding. You mean reading in order to learn is not something you like? That's alarming!"
If flying is your passion, don't quit just because someone gives you a thumbs-down. Consider that failure a temporary setback. Fix the problem and come back with double the determination to succeed. Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward.
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