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The Artful Flying Way
February 2008 www.artfulpublishing.com |
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MMC somewhere over
Arizona in DumboJet
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Leanin’ Forward
In the last several weeks, I’ve flown DumboJet with three special first officers. Real stand-outs, these pilots.
It has always amazed me that any airline can hire F-18 pilots (the F-somethings), C-141 pilots (trash haulers), Apache helicopter pilots (rotorheads), Gulfstream IV pilots (air-chauffeurs) and even the all-civilian pilots from the flight instructor-commuter ranks (FLAPS) – and they can all do pretty much the same job at the airline. Now, that’s not to say that they do the job the same. Most are a victim – and a product – of their background; most…but not all.
The difference with these recent co-pilots is that, in spite of their background – I had a former F-16 instructor, a pure civilian (commuter), and a transport dude (C-17’s), these pilots impressed me. They flat flew better than the “average” first officer that most airlines seem to hire far too many of.
So, what made these pilots different?
Each pilot was “leaning forward” in their straps. Now, this leaning can be a rather subtle thing. You might not even notice it if you’re not looking carefully. But these pilots were engaged in each flying moment, often asking questions (most first officers would rather eat worms); they flew smoothly, anticipated the “next,” and looked for the new gift that is offered on every flight. They clearly wanted to fly “right,” “better,” even “Artfully,” though they don’t call it that. They are a joy to share the cockpit with.
One of the ways pilots impress me (and frankly, there aren’t a lot of airline pilots that do), is this subtle inclination, this leaning forward in the straps. I can’t think of a more perfect demonstration of Artful Flying.
Are you one of those pilots? Have you flown with one? Write me and tell me about it.
Make it an Artful flight!
Michael
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Artful Thoughts |
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“Experience is the quiver
from which we pull our arrows.
Wisdom is the way we use them.”
- Michael Maya Charles
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What is “Artful Flying?”
From Chapter One
Artful Flying goes beyond the memorized procedures, precise control movements, numbers and mnemonics; beyond checklists and training. Effort and attention to flying show if we look for them, and these signs come from a pilot’s decisions about who she is and how he feels about flying. It is both ordinary and extraordinary. That pursuit of the possible is the journey I call Artful FLYING and I’ve found that the cockpit is a great venue for the creation of art.
Just look at the many ways art and flying are similar:
In art and flying…
• it takes focus and awareness.
• the basics are fairly simple and easy to learn.
• there is a requirement for mastery of the fundamentals.
• it’s the little nuances, folds, and deeper mysteries that take a lifetime to experience, appreciate and develop into mastery
In art and flying…
• you can go as deep or as shallow as you wish.
• the requirement for discipline is high
• you can spend a lifetime learning one thing well.
• the higher levels of involvement begin within each person who undertakes in the journey.
In art and flying…
• what we produce is a very accurate reflection of who we are, our willingness to risk, to learn more than the superficial.
• we are driven to know more. And more. And more still.
• we become specialists because we can’t be experts in all things. It’s just too big.
you can spend a lifetime pursuing an elusive, mysterious mistress called “perfect” and never reach it.
there is no end to what we can learn, no end to what we can accomplish.
Beginning the Process
Before you can discover those deeper levels, you must first develop mastery of your craft, all the basic things: takeoff and landing, crosswinds, engine failure or the Perfect ILS Approach. Once you’ve got a pretty good handle on all of that, what’s next? What lies beyond simple mastery of the mechanics and craft of flying?
Art.
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FREE
SHIPPING! |
Through the end of May, we'll ship your copy -- or copies -- of Artful FLYING FREE.
To receive free shipping just go to www.artfulpublishing.com and insert the code FREESHIP in the "Discounts" box at checkout.
Feel free to pass on this newsletter (and free shipping offer) to your flying buddies who might enjoy reading Artful Flying. Order now! |
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Offer Expires: May 30, 2008 |
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Artful Flying Seminar coming soon! |
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“Artful Flying is a doorway to new worlds of knowing.”
Michael Maya Charles |
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Two questions that often come up after someone finishes Artful FLYING are, "Michael, what's next?" and "How do I create more Artful Flying in my own cockpit?" Well, those are questions that I've been thinking about for some time, and have finally decided to offer an all-day seminarto address them.
It's one thing to read a book like Artful Flying, quite another to live it. The concepts of this book are not that hard to understand and "learn," but they can be very difficult to "know." To really know these concepts, we must move them out of our heads and into our bodies. We need to practice.
For a full day, we will:
- Experience Beginner's Mind and Awareness, taking it from concept to "knowing."
- Learn the Art of asking the right questions -- at the right time
- Focus on what's important -- now.
- Delve more deeply into the stories of Artful Flying -- and our own
- Practice ways to balance the Pilot Ego
- Probe the dread -- and joys -- of discipline
- Discover the crippling effect of striving for perfection
- Create a practice that you will perform for all the rest of your flying days.
The ultimate goal for the seminar is to take Artful Flying's ideas back to your cockpit, and to make them a part of your everyday flying. You will have many new tools to create an Artful Flying practice of your own, and you will not only become a more aware, thoughtful, safer pilot, you will learn how to have more fun during your hours aloft.
The introductory price for this action-packed seminar is just $180, less than a couple hours of dual.
Does this sound like something you just have to try? Then please contact me at mmc@artfulpublishing.com and we’ll sign you up. Class size will be limited to ensure the individual success of each participant.
I hope you'll join us.
Very best,
Michael Maya Charles
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Join our Community! |
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Tell us
YOUR story!
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What do you do that is artful?
Since I released Artful Flying last summer I’ve talked to many pilots who said, “Finally...someone has written about the way I’ve always tried to fly!” There are a lot of you out there, flying artfully in helicopters, gliders, Pitts Specials, huge transports, even powered parachutes. Well, tell us your story. How do you make your flying count, make it artful, raise the bar, devoting the attention and awareness to your moments in the cockpit that create a work of art?
Interestingly, I’ve also heard from some of you who are engaged in an artful process in many other areas of your lives other than flying. I’ve heard from painters, photographers, writers, attorneys — and one pilot who is a union negotiator. Each of these people felt they were artful in what they do.
So...tell us about your artful way! We’d love to hear from you!
Contact us here: info@artfulpublishing.com
LOVE NOTES FROM READERS
"It is rare when an author can take a technical subject like flying and infuse it with such clarity and passion. This work skillfully blends years of aviation experience, with a touch of Eastern philosophy and a lot of common sense. The result is a provocative essay that takes the insightful reader on a journey of introspection; primarily in their approach to flying, but easily extended to their approach to life".
Joe Romson MD, PhD
Private pilot |
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Love notes |
I have read your book and I love it! Great job! I identified with "beginners mind" and "relaxed awareness" and the value of practice. I, like you, believe in creating a relaxed, friendly, but very professional atmosphere in the cockpit. I like the concept of a pilot being engaged in a "professional practice."
Again, well done, Michael. Thanks to you, my next flight and all future flights will be more Artful.
Ken Hoffman, Former Chairman
National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI)
Charles explores flying from a dramatically different perspective than the dry, rote push-the-stick-here or do-this-before-you-do-that vision taken up by so many texts. You won’t find mathematical models for lift or explicit decision trees in Artful Flying. Instead, you’ll be greeted by a philosophy that embraces flying for flying’s sake, and advances the notion that manipulation of a great machine can, indeed, be artful.
Artful Flying, if you let it, will make you a better pilot.
Marc Cook
Editor-in-Chief
Kitplanes Magazine
Inspiring, helpful, life-changing. Your book has motivated me to set new and higher goals and WHY I should. The WHY is the most important part... its the part I had missed. Thank you for waking me up.
Ron Tyler
Private Pilot working on Instrument Rating
Your book, "Artful Flying" is the finest, most interesting and valuable book I have ever read on flying style, quality and personal attitude thereof. I have recommended the book to my flying friends and instructors. Artful Flying has helped me toward my efforts toward becoming a "Class Act" pilot. I shall read it again and again.
Lawrence Cohn
New Mexico
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Artful Publishing, LLC
140 Cessna Drive
Erie, CO 80516
303.604.0746
mmc@artfulpublishing.com
http://www.artfulpublishing.com |
Artful Publishing, LLC's mission is to create beautiful, thought-provoking aviation books and products contributing to an artful, mindful approach to flying and living.
We hope that you find this newsletter thought-provoking and useful. If you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at info@artfulpublishing.com
Entire contents of this newsletter are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher, Artful Publishing, LLC. Please email requests to: info@artfulpublishing.com. |
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