Memorable Moments of an Instructor

All the anecdotes in this book are true, of course, otherwise it wouldn't be funny. Only the names of certain protagonists have been changed, to spare their descendants shame and infamy. While I'm the first to recognize my mistakes, analyze them and try to learn something positive to share, not everyone does. Experience," said the taciturn and magnificent navigator Éric Tabarly, "is never just the sum of all the bullshit that must never be repeated. He summed it up perfectly. But you have to be able to identify them and be prepared to question yourself. Once again, we're not all equal when it comes to the way we look at ourselves. For example, when a pupil pointed out to me a few days ago during the integration of the uncontrolled Vinon airfield that the manoeuvre I had just asked him to perform was leading him to join the circuit the wrong way round, I had to take it upon myself to acknowledge my mistake straight away, so as not to make the situation worse, and above all, not to make useless excuses. The student must understand that, even if his instructor was born with a pair of wings on his back, he can make mistakes too. Being a pilot isn't about being infallible. It's about being able to analyze and correct unintended, non-compliant or unacceptable situations.

I've put together a few memorable moments from training and private flights, highlighting some sometimes comical situations where the fallible element is not the aircraft, but the pilot!

Happy flying!

Serge Boichot, the Author