For want of a seat cushion

That’s an old (old) proverb come down through the centuries. This version is from Ben Franklin’s The Way to Wealth (1758). It means that seemingly unimportant acts can have grave consequences.

That’s what I was reminded of when I read a student pilot’s online lament. She said she believes flight schools should provide seat cushions for all student pilots. She made an interesting argument: Proper seat positioning is crucial to picking up the right sight picture in order to learn how to land an airplane. Women are more likely to be shorter than men. Therefore, women are more likely to need a seat cushion. Flying is expensive, so why should women bear the additional cost of a seat cushion, particularly since they can be expensive?

I know what you’re going to say: “I suppose you agree with her.” No, I don’t.

Proper seat positioning is crucial to gaining the correct sight picture, no argument from five-foot-three-inch me. But here’s the thing: Seat cushions, like headsets, are personal. What works for one student might not for another. Students need to purchase the equipment they like, at the price point they can afford. Once upon a time flight schools kept loaner headsets on hand for customers, but it’s not cost-effective nor good marketing to provide free headsets for the ongoing use of everyone on your client roster.

There’s also the ick factor, as in, Ick, do you want to sit on a cushion that everybody and their brother has already sat on? The same could be said for a headset but somehow it seems more hygienic to share a headset than it is does to share a seat cushion.

Finally, there’s the fact that, unlike headsets, seat cushions are not special aviation-only items (though there are manufacturers who turn out some very fine products aimed specifically at general aviation). Almost any pillow or chair pad can be used. I used to fly with a $14 bamboo pillow I picked up at a discount store. Two years ago, when I transitioned to a Cessna 182 that required some serious back and butt support, I did buy one of those name-brand GA cushions—but I bought it used from another pilot, for about one-third the original price.

A flight school could better serve its shorter customers by keeping a cushion available at all times for a customer’s one-time use. The flight instructor could introduce the seat cushion to see whether the student pilot needs the boost to nail the sight picture and improve their landings. Then, if a seat cushion is needed, it’s the student pilot’s job to shop for the one one that fits their budget and provides the right amount of boosterism.

Also, maybe keep a clean pillowcase on this cushion. You know, to cut down on the ick factor.

Which brings me to the original proverb, and today’s take on it: For want of a cushion, a landing was flubbed. For want of a landing, a student was frustrated. For want of a student, earnings were lost. And on and on it goes.