||| |—|—| | | | Student pilots, worried they don’t have the right stuff, often ask me, “What makes a good pilot?” They’re usually surprised when I don’t cite physical coordination and natural ability. No, if I had to identify one personality trait that makes for a good (read safe) pilot, I’d have to say good judgment and the ability to anticipate. OK, that’s two, but good judgment is really the result of anticipating-thinking ahead, imagining, “What if?” and then making an informed decision.
Have you ever pulled up at a toll booth behind another car, correct change jingling in your fist, and waited impatiently while the driver in the car in front digs through his pockets and then polls his passengers to take up a collection for the toll? Didn’t he know he was coming to a toll? Didn’t he see the series of Burma Shave-like signs that alerted, “Passenger Cars: Toll $1.75”?
