Flying and Freedom From Unimportant Things

Imagine being free from all of the most destructive thoughts and feelings humans are susceptible to. Imagine a place where insecurities, anxiety, fear, pain, self-doubt, and guilt are removed. This is how the world is to one who has embraced the sky as home, as a comfortable and proper place to be. When flying, the immediacy of the situation demands the pilot’s fullest of attention and there is no room for any of these cancerous thoughts. This is not to say that the pilot is constantly on edge and at his wit’s end. There are occasional introspective and meditative moments for the mind to wander somewhat while aloft, but due to the unique perspective that flight offers, these times are overwhelmingly positive. It isn’t that there is no time to focus on anything but the mechanics of flying and navigating, but that flying produces an environment which engages the mind and spirit in such a way that it has no room for the negative.

When flying a precision maneuver or a tricky cross-wind approach and landing, the mind is busy making innumerable and often subconscious calculations. The motor skills are constantly making small corrections. The eyes, hands, and feet are in symphonic coordination. The successful outcome of the maneuver or landing depends on high levels of concentration, planning, and action. There is no room for destructive thoughts


In another situation, the pilot might find himself in cruise flight on a calm evening over beautiful scenery as sunset nears. The workload is much less, but the mind must still be engaged in keeping a constant heading and altitude or performing other cockpit chores, but the mind will also find itself studying the world below or the sky above. The wonders of the earth, the progress of mankind, or the incredible vastness of the unknown inevitably creep into the pilot’s mind at these times. Once again, there is no room for destructive thoughts.


In both types of circumstances, the mind is much more active than in most ordinary situations, but the spirit is also more alive than it normally is. Completion of a maneuver to perfection lifts the spirit to great heights. Nailing that crosswind landing is like a spiritual high-five, and the peaceful sunset patrol produces a terrific sense of self-exaltation. When one’s inner self is in such a healthy state, it too has no room for destructive emotions.

The FAA lists several hazardous attitudes that are very real and can lead to very poor judgement. Two of them are anti-authority and invulnerability. All pilots encounter these attitudes from time to time and must learn to effectively deal with them. Rule books are written in the blood of others and are printed for a reason. No man is ever invulnerable to the unforgiving sky. On a higher level however, anti-authority and invulnerability are two blessings that flying brings. When flying, there is no greater authority than the pilot-in-command. His decision is final. Nobody is in control of his destiny save himself and spiritually, this is a striking and empowering revelation. Even when there are others in the airplane, there is solitude to be found in the stick and rudder. Being removed from reliance on all others, if even on a short flight, bolsters the individual. There is no authority over a pilot’s destiny save his own. Additionally, because of the very real vulnerability of the pilot’s person, the spirit must takes on an almost impervious armor. Only physical hazards exist in the sky. There is no pain or suffering. Spiritual invulnerability is something seldom found in safety of the ground.

St Exupery is known for saying, "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things." Indeed, only the truly important elements of one's being stand out when embracing the sky. Flying is a triumph over the worst and a celebration of the best. It is an activity that fortifies the mind and spirit to do battle in the day-to-day conflicts which can be so draining. An exceptional flight can set the individual right for long after the airplane has been put in the hangar.