50 Years a Pilot

As I write this, Im looking at my Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award sitting near the window sill. Its the most prestigious award the FAA issues to pilots, according to the agency, and eligibility for it requires a minimum of 50 years to elapse since a pilots first solo flight. I originally dismissed this award as an overblown creation of the FAA or, worse, an old geezers award for longevity. I finally decided it would be a great bookend for a lifetime of flying, or a beginning of the next chapter. For those of you out there with 50 continuous years of flying without accident, incident or violation-or if you know someone who meets the minimum requirements-you can find details of the award and how to apply on the FAA website.

Key Takeaways:

• The author, a recipient of the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award for 50 years of accident and incident-free flying, emphasizes that a lifetime of safe general aviation is achievable through disciplined risk management.
• He attributes his personal 52-year safety record to an organized safety management process, stressing the importance of planning, caution, flexibility, and discipline, guided by the principle: "this business is as safe as you want to make it."
• To enhance flight safety and utility, the article advises pilots to proactively improve their risk management skills by seeking expert instruction, taking specialized training courses, and consistently applying risk assessment on every flight.

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