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-   -   Is it all worth it??? (https://vansairforce.net/community/showthread.php?t=105952)

Eddie P 10-29-2013 11:48 AM

First of all, like every one else has said in their well worded responses, I am really sorry to hear about the crash. Being killed in any aircraft accident carries like a siren for all to hear. It's tragic and horrible. But no less tragic than dying from a drug reaction, a medical mistake, a car accident, a slip and fall, by violent crime, by old age and nothing to show for it, or by any other means.

I really appreciate the question though. Is it worth it?

Some days, it is not. Some days I just get a feeling that for my pleasure flying, for whatever reason, it's better to just stay on the ground and do something else productive (preferably aviation related for some small part of the day). We all have to listen to our inner voice on that - perhaps there are subtle weather threats, mission threats, physiology catching up with us on some days (IMSAFE), or what about that nagging little issue on the plane that we have learned "to live with" slowly without being aware just how much.

In any regard, at the end of the day, I can't live without flying. The freedom that sport aviation allows me cannot be matched by anything else. It's an inner knowing that I belong in the sky and a special treat, to be able to be aloft, on my own terms.

When I'm wearing my professional pilot hat, I am able to operate to a much higher standard of efficiency, safety and performance that I know I can't match with my pleasure flying. But the the professional people I work with, equipment I work with, and the corporate backing I have allow me the operational capability and luxury of massive redundancy and resources. Confidence is high in professional aviation, though things still happen - we still live by the rules of physics and there are no certainties in life.

For light aircraft flying, we are in charge of everything including our own flight debriefs (was that arrival really as acceptable as you want to think it was; do you have an excuse for not seeing that other traffic until that point; etc?). For experimental aviation, we are even in charge of maintenance and final inspections. This is a heavy burden unless we allow ourselves the luxury of asking questions like this (is it worth it) and unless we are brutally honest with ourselves and allow support and critique of our aviation friends. It's healthy to be self aware and self critical to a point. Some days I just like going up with a trusted friend or colleague who is at the top of their game and observe. That is usually enough to get me back in the game of being "on my game" and knowing it's time to get out there again and flying for me. I know I need it - I need to be in the air. I just also feel the need to be able to justify that same nagging question that sometimes crosses my mind too. Is it worth it? Really worth it? To be able to answer that honestly, I think there is a second question that needs answering. "What have I done to earn it, recently?" (training, mental conditioning, maintenance, risk management, etc).

Yes, it is worth it to me: As long as I can keep earning it.

David-aviator 10-29-2013 12:24 PM

Aaron,

Sorry to hear of your loss.

You've got to press on, aviation has nothing to do with it. My first experience loosing a friend was just out of high school, he was killed on a roofing job. Another died of cancer at the age of 20. Over the years, a few have been lost in aircraft mishaps. If you live a long life, you will loose friends and family, that's how it is.

Look at it this way, you're among those still standing. Life is short, grieve you loss 4 days and move on. (4 days of grief was a Sioux Indian custom that makes good sense - to grieve longer is wasting your life)

If this tragic event makes you apprehensive of flying, give it up. It's no fun flying scared.

For me, flying is among a few items worth living for, I won't give it up while my brain is still connected to the rest of me, no matter what.

grubbat 10-29-2013 12:29 PM

The question is 100% normal...
 
Having been in and around aviation for 30 years and also a fireman for the same time period, I have seen death of many friends and many strangers. In all cases, I too ask the question, is it really worth it.

The motorcycle crash that took a co-worker and father, the gun that took my neighbor, the aircraft fire that took a friend at Mallards Landing, the weather that took my friend at Newnan, the defective air regulator that malfunction while in a structure fire that almost took mine, the simple cold that took my college roommate, the heart attack that took Al's life no matter how long I did chest compressions, and so on.

We live, and then we die. I don't have a death wish but it is true that life is all about risks that you are willing to take for its enjoyment. When its no longer fun or satisfying, do something else.

I am sorry for your loss and I too understand how you feel.

bret 10-29-2013 01:25 PM

I am also sorry for your loss, but I to ride a motorcycle in dear infested mountains and love flying and accept the risk along with the thrill. Quote, get busy living or get busy dying. shawshank Redemption.

longranger 10-29-2013 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aarvig (Post 820770)
...The prevelant thought on my mind today is "Is flying worth the risk?" ...

The same question goes through my mind each time I lose a friend or acquaintance in an airplane (I don't keep count). You are right that the feeling will fade with time. How would (Kevin, Tony, and the others) have answered the question? I daresay that most I've known would have answered in the affirmative.

BigD 10-29-2013 02:36 PM

In most of our endeavors I believe there is some amount of rationalization we use to internally justify whatever it is we think we want to do. During my time flying fighters and trainers in the AF I remember believing that bad stuff always happened to the other guy. Not that I was luckier or more skilled, but I had to believe that my training and experience would help me to survive and not become another statistic; otherwise it would have been difficult to go on flying. The fact that I?m still here may be pure chance but bolsters the rationalization, justified or not. One of the reasons to build an airplane is not leaving the systems design or maintenance up to someone else ? mentally (at least) avoiding the risk associated with renting or borrowing someone else?s airplane. I also plan to be trained as best as I can before ever taking that first flight, which seems to be a common plan. I guess with all of that taken into consideration, if the perceived risk outweighs the experience, i.e, the rationalizations fail, then one should think long and hard about hanging it up. It doesn?t make a difference if you?re statistically safer flying than driving to the airport, if it becomes a white-knuckle experience then it probably is too dangerous. I personally can?t wait to get back into the air after an eight year hiatus, but that?s a personal decision we each have to make and re-evaluate from time to time. I add my condolences and wish you the best.

==dave==

KatieB 10-29-2013 03:48 PM

This is a really good thread, and an important question. I've been monitoring it throughout the day, and sometimes the emotions have grabbed me.

I remember when I was a young, dumb pilot quite well. The sheer joy of flying with my new PPL took me away from the troubles of Earth- job, domestic life, everything- and it proved what I was capable of doing as an intelligent human being. Even though I was joyriding around Wisconsin in a dilapidated old Cherokee 140, nothing compared to it... it was precious and it shaped my personality. Every moment I was on the ground, I wanted to get away from it. Flying forever changed my life!

I also remember some experiences that I look back on and say "WOW, luck was on my side that day." I didn't realize the danger of some of the fun things I did (or my flying friends did), but it all worked out ok.

The more flying experience I put into my logbook, the more I learn. Every time I learn something new as the result of a mistake or a close call, or reading about others who make a mistake, have a close call or die, it takes some of the shiny innocence away. Now when I fly, (when I FLEW, it's been a long time,) nothing is given up to chance in mechanical preflight, weather, physiological feelings... as it should be for a safe pilot. But I must admit that I haven't enjoyed a flight as much as I did back when I was young, dumb and complacent. Ignorance really is bliss. I hope when I do get back into the air, I can enjoy flying as much as I used to, and accept overcoming the risks as just another satisfying part of the challenge. (Maybe flying an RV instead of an old spam can, as beloved as it was, will help. :o)

aarvig 10-29-2013 04:21 PM

Thank you all for the very thought provoking replies. I have enjoyed reading all of your posts. One thing it has shown me is that you are all very intelligent people with some deep substance to your characters and I am proud to be a part of this aviation family. Reading through all the posts...there is a definite trend. Flying is worth it. Manage the risks to the best of our abilities and live life to the fullest. Flying has always added fulfillment to my life and I can't imagine it not being a part of my life.

Shimoda 11-04-2013 06:11 PM

?The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.?
To laugh is to risk being a fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out to another is to risk involvement.
To express feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before the crowd
Is to risk their loss. To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try is to risk failure.
The person who risks nothing,
Does nothing,
Has nothing and is nothing.
They may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But they simply cannot learn, Feel, change, grow, love or live.
Risks must be taken because,
The greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
Only a person who risks is free.?
- Leo Buscalia


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