When Does The 'Super-Pilot' Confidence Kick-in :-)

Jim wrote:

> Hope that it doesn't kick in because that's when invulnerability, macho, and
> complacency can also kick in. Confidence is great. Super Pilot Confidence
> can be dangerous. I'd say it's all a matter of experience, you're probably
> confident doing the things that you've done several hundred times.

Well stated, Jim. I think most conscientious pilots tend to gain humility over
time. I know I'm definitely not as good now than I *thought* I was at 400
hours. :)

A quiet confidence and an everlasting willingness to learn from anyone are the
hallmarks of an experienced aviator, in my opinion.

-Ryan
CFII-A/MEI/CFI-H

(still trying to whittle down the .sig, Anthony!)

"Cecil E. Chapman" <bayareapilot@> wrote in message news:<0lcUa.7807$m6.32954528@newssvr14.news.prodig y.com>...
> I only have somewhere around 250+ hours and was wondering when does the
> 'supreme aviator confidence' kick in....

I'll let you know when it happens...

I think it's a personality trait, myself. Some pilots have
it almost immediately. Then there's the rest of us.

Personally, I'm always tying down the plane and walking away
with a list of half-a-dozen sins of omission and comission to
kick myself about, ranging from relatively minor "landed left
of centerline on 80 ft wide runway" to potentially serious gaffs.
Procedural perfection is my goal but "I am so very far from where
I want to be"

Then just in case I start feeling good, something happens where
the seat cushion flies up my butt and of course I can walk away
thinking about how I didn't handle that as well as I could have
either.

So I don't see any "supreme aviator confidence" on the
horizon for myself.

Sydney