After a hard, bouncing night landing, the author realized a critical error stemming from a visual "shortcut" he had developed.
This shortcut involved relying on peripheral vision to judge runway width for flare, which proved disastrous on the larger runway, leading to a dangerous descent.
The incident taught the author that shortcuts proceed from poor discipline and often precede disaster, a lesson applicable to both flying and life.
(April 2011) IT WAS NOT A BIG MISTAKE. I ended up with damage only to my pride and my reputation. But, I took a shortcut, and I learned about flying from that.
I grew up on World War I flying books left in my bedroom bookcase by previous generations. I listened to Dad tell of his Stearman lessons from early 1941. I was mad about flying and desperate to get started.
CREATE A FREE ACCOUNT
Sign up to keep reading
Create a free account to continue. Already a member? Sign in below.
