Unscientific survey - why are you a pilot?

Are you left brained or right brained (logic-and-math or Artsy
fartsy)?

right, I guess.

Hmm. What is "fartsy"? Was DaVinci "fartsy"?

If somebody takes the survey and says "Well, gee, I don't know...I don't
know what 'fartsy' means but it doesn't sound like me," would that stack the
results toward the right-brained?

I knew a Lt Commander who was B/N on an Intruder who would ask AOCS types
"Are you fixed-wing or one of those helo-queers?"

-c

On Aug 16, 3:14 am, Doug Semler wrote:

Do you have a "family history" of aviation/piloting?

No

Are you an adventure seeker (anything from "true" adrenaline junkee to
"every day is different and brings a new challenge")

Definitely no.

Are you constantly seeking new challenges?

Not really.

(subpart) Do you find that you get bored easily?

I wouldn't think I get bored that easily.

Do you have a "thirst for knowledge" (e.g. would you rather be in
school than working)?

I like learning.

(subpart) Do you find yourself constantly seeking out new things
about flying regularly or do you only look it up when you run across
something you don't know.

Always. To me, learning to fly is something that has a definite
start but doesn't finish.

(subpart - for instructors) Do you enjoy it when your student "gets
it" or has that "aha! moment?"
Are you a "control freak" (type-a)?

I do have control freak tendencies, but I don't consider myself one.

Do you have hints of "delusions of grandeur?" or is it more like "I'm
on top of the world when I fly"

Sometimes the latter.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

Introvert, except in the company of other pilots it seems. :-)

If given the choice, would you rather read fiction or an aviation
oriented book?

My house is littered with Aviation material while my fiction gathers
dust on the shelf.

(For those that use the radio) Do you find that you have always had
good communication skills?

Yes. My instructors noted this early in my training.

Are you left brained or right brained (logic-and-math or Artsy
fartsy)?

Definitely left brained.

Oh and I went to college.

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:14:53 -0700, Doug Semler
wrote:

Do you have a "family history" of aviation/piloting?

No, other than a father who was a (K)C-97 / (K)C-135 avionics tech for
four years in the military.

Are you an adventure seeker (anything from "true" adrenaline junkee to
"every day is different and brings a new challenge")

Not really. But I do enjoy calculated and educated risks, like
kayaking, mountain biking... I will NOT skydive. G

Are you constantly seeking new challenges?
(subpart) Do you find that you get bored easily?

Yes for challenges, and no, to bored easily. I like to pursue things
to a serious level.

Do you have a "thirst for knowledge" (e.g. would you rather be in
school than working)?

I gain knowledge by working. G

(subpart) Do you find yourself constantly seeking out new things
about flying regularly or do you only look it up when you run across
something you don't know.

I look it up, or seek instruction, when I'm not sure, or doubt myself.

Are you a "control freak" (type-a)?

No. I put myself as capable as the pilot or co-pilot in many
activities. I can lead or follow, but don't enjoy not leading if
someone else isn't capable of truly leading. In other words, if I'm
not leading, someone else needs to truly accept the position and give
the commands. I don't like vague or ill-defined direction in a team
setting. If I'm alone and can fluidly choose directions as they
appear, I can be happy.

Do you have hints of "delusions of grandeur?" or is it more like "I'm
on top of the world when I fly"

Neither.

I enjoy the "dinghy on the ocean" perspective that puts me in the
small perspective that I feel is my true place in the universe. I get
the same feeling from kayaking in the ocean and hiking wilderness.

I get a fragility when I look out of the windows at high altitude.

I'm small, but a speck. The earth is freakin' huge.

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

In-between.

If given the choice, would you rather read fiction or an aviation
oriented book?

Non-fiction. It dosen't matter if it's aviation related. I do grab
a stack of Clancy, Coonts, Brown, etc.. paperbacks when I head to the
beach or need to fly commercial.

(For those that use the radio) Do you find that you have always had
good communication skills?

I'm a former working musician. The radio is natural for me. G

Are you left brained or right brained (logic-and-math or Artsy
fartsy)?

Both. I'm an accomplished woodworker, musician, and sound and
software engineer. Most of my activites need a bit of both sides.

. However maybe a question along the lines of "while
in school did you consider yourself to be a good student" would be
better.

I was a crappy student, frequently bored in school, but I've done well
in flight training, vocational woodworking training, music school,
etc... I do really, really, well, and have much greater retention in
hands on type exercises vs. book learning.

OK, I wasnt goin' to reply...but your sig tweaked me...I'll post to
that later

On Wed, 15 Aug 2007 08:14:53 -0700, Doug Semler
wrote:


Do you have a "family history" of aviation/piloting?
Nope...none...zero...zip


Are you an adventure seeker (anything from "true" adrenaline junkee to
"every day is different and brings a new challenge")
hmm...maybe the latter. routine sux. Very risk averse. Though...I
AM actually considering an invitation to parachute form a fellow
pilot.


Are you constantly seeking new challenges?
see previous

(subpart) Do you find that you get bored easily?
uh didnt I just say that ? Can you say ADD-ish?

Do you have a "thirst for knowledge" (e.g. would you rather be in
school than working)?
Some of each.

(subpart) Do you find yourself constantly seeking out new things
about flying regularly or do you only look it up when you run across
something you don't know.
Yes, I do...got my Comm'l ASEL and then went out to learn to fly
gliders. I find a WIDE variety of pilots at the glider club and
always learn sumthin new...not always abt gliders!

(subpart - for instructors) Do you enjoy it when your student "gets
it" or has that "aha! moment?"
N/A (yet)...but I do train at work...and that's a big YES!

Are you a "control freak" (type-a)?
mmm....hmmm...yep...

Do you have hints of "delusions of grandeur?" or is it more like "I'm
on top of the world when I fly"
Top of the world! No delusions...i know who I am and where I stand

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
Havent you figured that out yet?
EX_ TRO_VERT with occasional small lapses into introversion.
(Oh, geez, now I'm bipolar as well as ADD...there goes the next
medical!)

If given the choice, would you rather read fiction or an aviation
oriented book?
EASY! Vixen 03...fiction but aviation...maybe Rod Machado's big
pilot book second.

Given another choice, I might rather watch the flying scenes in "The
English Patient"

(For those that use the radio) Do you find that you have always had
good communication skills?
Unfair advantage...Extra Class ham and lots of experience running
radio nets. If anything I'm too chatty on the radio. Doesnt help
that i know a lot of the local ATC folks either .

Are you left brained or right brained (logic-and-math or Artsy
fartsy)?
Left, but finding more of the right as I get older and more patient.
(dad was way left ,mom was way right)

--Don Byrer


Don Byrer KJ5KB
Radar Tech & Smilin' Commercial Pilot Guy
Glider & CFI wannabe
kj5kb-at-hotmail.com

"I have slipped the surly bonds of earth; now if I can just land without bending the gear..."
"Watch out for those doves...smack-smack-smack-smack..."