A visitor and some stray thoughts.
Ramble warning - .
All was quiet; I worked steadily, seeking 'accuracy' rather than at 'speed' – no rush; lost within the work piece. The noise of tyres on gravel was met by the dogs getting interested – it was an old friend. I made coffee, broke out the forbidden biscuit tin – he chose a bench stool so, we sat at the workbench: well he sat. I was about to sharpen a plane blade and a chisel just before he arrived; the gear for that task is always close to hand, so while we chatted I put an edge on the steel. In a while (7 perhaps 8 minutes later); I too, sat on a bench stool. “How the “(!@#$%) did you do that? He asked. “What” say's I puzzled. I gave him the short version; been doing 'that' since the age of about seven in Grand- Papa's workshop – and do it on average about three times a day; it is a 'learned' skill in constant practice. After he departed; it got me thinking; which is the reason for this long ramble; there is a point (albeit) long winded.
“I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter."
Retention of 'skills' and of 'learning' – stuff to pass an exam and stuff that will keep you alive and get you home at night. (Gods willing, weather permitting). Morse code is a classic example, back in the day 10 WPM (received) was a requirement. An old mate was an ex RAF Navigator (among other qualifications) and radio Nav Guru. He reckoned that to 'learn' Morse, the best way was to send and receive. We jury rigged a key and 'beeper' and I spent what time I could spare learning to send. For many (many) years across much of this planet the 'skills' learned and the understanding of the vagaries of radio served me very well indeed. Same applies to plotting a radio bearing fix on a chart, VAR approaches and many other now redundant skills. One of the best examples in the Gnomic Polar chart – a real head scratcher (or Stellar {Astro} Nav) another – until you finally 'get-it'. The point of all this is a 'skill' learned which is no longer in everyday day use may not be 'forgotten' but it is filed away in the basement. Yes, it truly served to widen the horizons and provided 'tools-of- trade' - rusty now, but, an essential part of the mindset when operating an aircraft. Flying is a thinking mans job, for careful folk, who work out the weather, plot and scheme to get a load on – legally – and maintain reserves – and work out the best way to beat the winds and weather.
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
Twain underscores the point for me. I have now fully read the Vic. Coroners report _HERE_ into yet another RAAus fatal event. On several levels, it is worthy of serious consideration, given the number of fatal and serious 'event's' recorded over the last few years. Don't misunderstand me; I think it is brilliant that folk with a 'medical' issue or those who simply enjoy the freedoms of the sky without the constraints CASA impose and can toddle off for weekend without too much 'legal' anxiety. (Nuff said). But, it makes me wonder though; wonder about the 'depth' of retention of 'lessons' toward examination; which seem to be soon forgotten. For instance a 'short' happy-crappy meteorology self study exam does not, nor can it, ever provide a 'sound' basis for future operation in years to come. You need to have a handle on this stuff; a real grip. Picking up a forecast should be like picking up a chisel and sharpening it without too much effort, cursing or time. A 'quick' course and a multi clue exam paper fails; at every level to qualify. Not only that, but because it was 'cheaply' gained it is soon discounted and disregarded. I ain't advocating anything like the Brit ATPL Met exam – but the most valid reason for these continued excursions into IMC by VFR pilots smacks of a very convenient “not our fault” escape clause. Tick a box and get out of jail. Nice work if you can get it. I just feel a little sorry for those who did retain and apply the basic lessons and have great admiration for those who continued to study and apply that knowledge. No reason for RAAus pilots to become a known hazard to navigation, the knowledge offered must be retained, applied and its limitations understood. Phew – Ramble over in the hope that something can be done to reduce the accident rate.
“We learn from failure, not from success!”
Toot – toot.....
Ramble warning - .
All was quiet; I worked steadily, seeking 'accuracy' rather than at 'speed' – no rush; lost within the work piece. The noise of tyres on gravel was met by the dogs getting interested – it was an old friend. I made coffee, broke out the forbidden biscuit tin – he chose a bench stool so, we sat at the workbench: well he sat. I was about to sharpen a plane blade and a chisel just before he arrived; the gear for that task is always close to hand, so while we chatted I put an edge on the steel. In a while (7 perhaps 8 minutes later); I too, sat on a bench stool. “How the “(!@#$%) did you do that? He asked. “What” say's I puzzled. I gave him the short version; been doing 'that' since the age of about seven in Grand- Papa's workshop – and do it on average about three times a day; it is a 'learned' skill in constant practice. After he departed; it got me thinking; which is the reason for this long ramble; there is a point (albeit) long winded.
“I have only made this letter longer because I have not had the time to make it shorter."
Retention of 'skills' and of 'learning' – stuff to pass an exam and stuff that will keep you alive and get you home at night. (Gods willing, weather permitting). Morse code is a classic example, back in the day 10 WPM (received) was a requirement. An old mate was an ex RAF Navigator (among other qualifications) and radio Nav Guru. He reckoned that to 'learn' Morse, the best way was to send and receive. We jury rigged a key and 'beeper' and I spent what time I could spare learning to send. For many (many) years across much of this planet the 'skills' learned and the understanding of the vagaries of radio served me very well indeed. Same applies to plotting a radio bearing fix on a chart, VAR approaches and many other now redundant skills. One of the best examples in the Gnomic Polar chart – a real head scratcher (or Stellar {Astro} Nav) another – until you finally 'get-it'. The point of all this is a 'skill' learned which is no longer in everyday day use may not be 'forgotten' but it is filed away in the basement. Yes, it truly served to widen the horizons and provided 'tools-of- trade' - rusty now, but, an essential part of the mindset when operating an aircraft. Flying is a thinking mans job, for careful folk, who work out the weather, plot and scheme to get a load on – legally – and maintain reserves – and work out the best way to beat the winds and weather.
“Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
Twain underscores the point for me. I have now fully read the Vic. Coroners report _HERE_ into yet another RAAus fatal event. On several levels, it is worthy of serious consideration, given the number of fatal and serious 'event's' recorded over the last few years. Don't misunderstand me; I think it is brilliant that folk with a 'medical' issue or those who simply enjoy the freedoms of the sky without the constraints CASA impose and can toddle off for weekend without too much 'legal' anxiety. (Nuff said). But, it makes me wonder though; wonder about the 'depth' of retention of 'lessons' toward examination; which seem to be soon forgotten. For instance a 'short' happy-crappy meteorology self study exam does not, nor can it, ever provide a 'sound' basis for future operation in years to come. You need to have a handle on this stuff; a real grip. Picking up a forecast should be like picking up a chisel and sharpening it without too much effort, cursing or time. A 'quick' course and a multi clue exam paper fails; at every level to qualify. Not only that, but because it was 'cheaply' gained it is soon discounted and disregarded. I ain't advocating anything like the Brit ATPL Met exam – but the most valid reason for these continued excursions into IMC by VFR pilots smacks of a very convenient “not our fault” escape clause. Tick a box and get out of jail. Nice work if you can get it. I just feel a little sorry for those who did retain and apply the basic lessons and have great admiration for those who continued to study and apply that knowledge. No reason for RAAus pilots to become a known hazard to navigation, the knowledge offered must be retained, applied and its limitations understood. Phew – Ramble over in the hope that something can be done to reduce the accident rate.
“We learn from failure, not from success!”
Toot – toot.....