If you're wondering why I'm here writing this Basic Training material for aviators, the answer is simple: I have managed to run out of my favorite Scotch and I'm bored. So, in frustration, I thought I'd spend a few dry hours trying to help you understand a some things about aircraft systems and instrumentation, basic navigation procedures, and aviation practices in general. A daunting task, I know, but one must never give up.
Why
do we offer this training?
For
several reasons. First of all, LewisAire is a "retro"
bush-flying operation, which means that we fly as pilots did several decades
ago. They didn't have (or use) all the auto-fly technology that's
available today, and neither do we. Much our flying is done with smaller
planes into remote, wilderness locations that have limited navigation
systems...or none at all. So you'll need to know how those mysterious
gauges work and how to use them. Secondly, we at LewisAire believe that
using one's skill to navigate is far more rewarding than simply
pressing a button or two that does all the flying for us.
And
this navigation training will be…?
…Extremely easy! For one thing, I only know 17 words, so it can’t get too complicated anyway. But seriously, most people who teach this kind of material try to dazzle us with a bunch of mindless techno-babble; they try to impress us with how much they know. And who cares how much they know, right? What's important is that you know. So I prefer to use whatever simple, basic lingo it takes to make sure you learn and understand the various processes and procedures. Beyond that, anything else is just showing off. The information will be comprehensive, understandable, and the pace is slow. There's no schedule. And no tests.
