Ol,
I agree completely with what you're saying and it's a lesson I accidentally
learned way back in my basic training in C150s. While doing touch and goes
one day, the flap indicator decided to go on vacation and, if you remember,
the 150s didn't have a stepped switch so you held the toggle in "down" until
the flaps were where you wanted them then released the switch. I started to
drop the flaps and I knew that at 20 degrees the airplane gave a certain
creak and the attitude changed just so. When the airplane did these things,
I released the switch. Unbeknownst to me, the indicator had come back to
life and, flying it only by feel, I'd nailed 20 degrees smack on! That's
when I learned that you can actually fly airplanes by feel and get it pretty
darn close.

Flying a Supercub pretty regularly, I then learned how to fly it without
needing to refer to the tacho or airspeed indicator. I always did as a
double check, but I'd make the adjustment by ear while looking outside at
what I was doing, then just dip my eyes to the instrument to double check.
Nine times out of ten, you're going to get it close enough when you know the
airplane. It's a fun and rewarding way to fly when you suddenly realize
you're almost breathing with the machine!

Shawn





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Trent
You'd be surprised how many pilots have never tried flying without the
ASI. I often cover it up and assign a speed to show them they can get
pretty close (within 5) just by sound. I learned that from my primary
instructor in the 50's. Later I tried the same thing with the altimeter
in the pattern and was quite surprised at how close you can get there
too.
No reason not to learn something new all the time and add it to your
bag of tricks and skills. Never know when it might save your life?!
Enjoy your flying time. Nothing else like it and you are part of a very
special group of people.
Cheers
Ol S&B