A Superior Pilot Uses Superior Judgment

Another quote by experienced pilot Barry Valentine about what makes an excellent pilot: Mr. Valentine served as acting FAA Administrator during President Bill Clinton's administration.  Mr. Valentine earned the U.S. Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary flying. He was also on the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Board of Directors for 10 years. He says "There is an old saying that a superior pilot is one who uses his superior judgment so as not to have to use his superior skill."..What makes a 'pilot's pilot'? Attitude and judgment. Recognizing that a pilot's license is simply a license to learn………..and all flights are proficiency flights on which something can be learned, and skills cab be honed. That is the right attitude. But the best of skills must be coupled with judgment. Experience is, of course, important in flying as in virtually all endeavors. In aviation we generally equate experience with hours logged. This can, however, be deceptive. Does 10,000 hours in a logbook mean that the pilot has 10,000 hours of experience or one hour of experience 10,000 times? Approximately three-quarters of accidents contain an element of pilot error. So the right attitude and good judgment coupled with the right experience and skill are all necessary for safe flying."  This is what Mr. Valentine believes makes a good pilot — or as it is often said "a pilot's pilot."