When being asked about what in my view makes a good pilot, there are some rather obvious traits of character and talents that should be present. 

Stuff like awesome reflexes, perfect eyesight, straight and shiny teeth, above average intelligence, appealing exterior appearance and perfect manners, all this is generally understood and I don’t really have to mention this here.

However, the absolute essentials are-

„The willingness to be a good pilot“

together with absolute

„Self honesty“.

Let me explain.

It is rather clear that someone working in a highly dynamic and complex environment which is (at least on the outer edges) absolutely intolerant to mistakes, must be willing to be a good pilot. 

Out of survival instinct alone, would be enough. However, this willingness can also stem from various other reasons, and it would be ignorant of the true nature of us human beings to focus only on those „highly developed“ reasons like „absolute understanding of the entire system“, bla bla… unrealistic anyway. 

The truth is, we have many reasons that make us „wanting to be good“ in our profession, and for the sake of flying safety, in my view the „why“ is of less (YES LESS!) importance, than the simple fact that someone really WANTS to be good.

Letˋs look at some examples:

„I want to be good because I love what I do and I enjoy doing it well“. 

-As long as the big picture is there and we are not like an autistic kid creating „perfection“ in our own  little bubble (which at the same time causes extreme tension on the edges of this bubble and is therefor not a safe way to work…)

„I want to be a good pilot because this is part of my identity and I want to see myself and be seen as a good pilot!“

-Even with the aspect of „being seen from the outside“, I am not concerned…

„I want to be better than all the others because I am talented and this is my only place to excel in life“

-Together with the second ingredient, even this guy or girl may well be suitable for sustained safe flying.

As long as SELF HONESTY is present at all times. 

No matter, what your reason for wanting to be a good pilot, if you also cultivate self-honesty… (hint: if you have, while reading the above examples, really asked yourself, why YOU want to be a good pilot, than you probably have it)

…then you are on a good way.

And this in my view is THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT factor that separates those who may be safe from those who ARE safe and reliable pilots.

I tell myself, my colleagues, as well as my students and trainees that the only person, we MUST ALWAYS be true to the bone with is… NOT the wife. NOT the instructor. NOT the flight operations manager. NOT even the police or the authorities. So, who then? you guessed right:

The one in the mirror! 

If YOU are truly able to look YOURSELF in the eye and admit to YOURSELF that whatever you have done, or were about to do, or thought about doing, was the lowest, dumbest, most idiotic, un(AIR)worthy bullshit the world has ever seen… If you are willing to look into the darkest spots on your underwear and are able to admit to yourself that your own shit really stinks… NO MATTER HOW MUCH THIS HURTS!!!, then you have what it really takes to be a safe pilot. 

Even if your motivation to be a good pilot may be highly ego driven. Even if your self image is cooler than iceman on top gun… Even if you are a woman who must prove to the world that you are better than every man dead or alive…

As long as you are willing to take the pain to shatter your beloved self image within yourself… by looking at your own faults, your flaws, your weaknesses, and debrief yourself with complete honesty, you are on a very good way. 

As I mentioned before, as noble as it might be „seen“ (there we have it again!) to openly confess it all- none of this is even close to the real importance to confess it all to yourself. 

This takes a great deal of self- acceptance. Often we like to hide our dark spots, because we don’t like to feel the shame. So let´s take ourselves of the hook! 

Be a safe person to yourself, someone like a nice grandparent who does not judge, shame, condemn, but truly listens and simply reflects to you the truth. 

Then you can, on the outside, still be the eager beaver Iceman, if this is important to you…. and maybe one day you really are better than all the others, simply because you allowed yourself to learn from your mistakes and grow out of your flaws and weaknesses, instead of hiding them from yourself.

If you have more fear to damage your self-image than your health, then you are the opposite of a „good pilot“, and either nature, or the system will eventually remove yourself from this position in one way or another.

If this rings a bell within you, and you actually heard it, then you just proved to yourself that you are also able to be self-honest!! Congratulations, you just opened up a new way of life for yourself!

I strongly encourage you to make use of this great gift! From now on crash your self-image in order to avoid crashing both, airplane AND (self) image. 

I trust these lines find you at the perfect time and serve you well!

Be truthful up there! 

Christian