1. The joy that one finds in teaching another human to leap in to the third dimension is almost a blessed event. Teaching a trainee to fly is quite unlike most teaching jobs. In fact, I would say it is the most extraordinary teaching job one could ever handle, almost like raising kids to be responsible citizens of the country. Since I have been fortunate to absorb both sides of this experience, I must say teaching flying to an ab- initio is a more involved process.
2. As they grow up, you teach your kids how to take care of themselves; how to behave; how to distinguish between right and wrong; how to recognise danger signs along the way and how to recover from mistakes made. If you control their lives too closely, not allowing them much leeway to do their thing, making all decisions for them, they will always be dependent on you and when the time comes for them to act on their own, they will find it difficult to do so wisely. On the other hand, if you allow them too much freedom, without having developed some sense of responsibility; if you fail to apply the necessary controls when they do wrong; if you don't guide them and explain how and why things should be done, they could turn out to be dangerous members of society. So small beginnings are made almost like holding the hands of a toddler and helping them take their first steps in aviation.
3. When starting flying, you take up a cadet for him to have a look at the world beneath his wings. You point out some of the places of significance, he can relate to. Some that will help in case of trouble; you also indicate what places should be avoided. Then you demonstrate the basic manoeuvres and after a while, you give him a chance to try them himself, never mind if he turns the plane upside down. Then come the more complicated and possibly dangerous manoeuvres. You teach him how to perform these, recover and emphasise to him that he must have sufficient height to make a safe recovery.
4. After a while, you start him on the more critical aspects of any flight, Takeoffs and Landings. In going through the whole gamut of aircraft manoeuvres, it is always the same sequence. First brief and discuss with him on ground the exercise to be flown. Then demonstrate in the air, how to perform the manoeuvre, guide him along as he does it himself and, finally, when you think he is ready, let him do the manoeuvres alone.
5. What is important is that, at a certain point, you must let him fly. If you don't, he will never learn. If you give him the controls to fly early, he may not be ready and it could mean disaster. This is the grave danger that any flight instructor faces. His life is in the hands of his student and a wrong judgement by the instructor could be fatal for both.
6. The greatest sense of satisfaction you can have is seeing your student fly solo (alone) for the first time. When he gets into the cockpit without you, and runs up his engine for takeoff, your guts are in your throat, and you're praying that you made the right decision to let him go up alone. The same is true when he comes in for his first landing. Watching his plane slowly approach the runway, settling down gently and finally the plane comes to a full stop is one of the greatest pleasures a Flight instructor can get. You have just created an Aviator from an ordinary human. A great transformation in his life. It’s a great feeling seeing him step down from the cockpit and even a non believer starts to thank the Almighty that everything went of well for your kid. In a sense, raising kids is quite like teaching people how to fly.
7. I leave the NDA after tenure of a little over two years and hang my instructors cap after almost eight years. I feel proud that I was involved in the process of introducing so many of the so few, to the third dimension. I know in time, I shall get to fly with them in the azure sky, both as Leader and as a Wing man. They will be truly, my brothers in arms and the first line of defence for our great nation. They will be required to be fit, eager and good to go when ever called upon. Their own standards will determine the standards of our entire service.
8. In their quest for higher standards I wish them luck. I wish them luck because flying is not for the faint hearted. They will go through their moments. I also envy them, for I know, the joy they will receive in this awesome journey to realise their childhood ambition, has no comparison. I shall see some of these young officers in my Sqn and it is with a sense of pride that I shall look upon them to answer the call of duty when the time comes. I know they shall never let us down and will always remember…
“They are, therefore India is”
I wish them Blue Skies – Always
No comments:
Post a Comment