We Never Stop Learning.

We never stop learning in aviation and the more I think about it, you never stop learning in life – or at least I think that you shouldn’t.

My recent absence from posting any “Short Thoughts” has been due to undertaking a course to become a simulator instructor on the Boeing 787. It is a role that I will fulfill in conjunction with flying the actual aircraft, alternating between flying rosters and ground training rosters. The training took nearly 4 months and involved more than 20 sessions in the simulator as well as ground school. At age 60, I had numerous queries as to why I would bother undertaking yet another course.

To be honest, at times the training was a labour of love. Personally, I have always enjoyed training, as evidenced by maintaining my Grade One Flight Instructor Rating for the last 35 years. Furthermore, I cannot help but think of the senior aviators that took the time to mentor me in the early days of my career – my father included. I also remind folks that my airline flying days are nearly done, however, there may still be the opportunity to continue in a ground role.

Beyond the practical perspective, I have always found that learning a new skill is of great benefit in keeping the mind relatively sharp and avoiding the potential rut of routine. It is also humbling and keeps any trace of complacency firmly in its place. When I reflect on the varying directions my life has taken, new challenges have always been at the forefront.

I was 37 with 10,000 hours when I had to start over at the bottom with a new airline in 2002. I was 41 when I completed my Masters Degree. My 40s and 50s saw me write hundreds of articles and publish ten books. My mid-fifties saw me join the Defence Force Reserves. In the background I took a secondment to another airline for three years which saw me learning to fly an Airbus after many years of flying Boeings and complete command training twice, spread across two airlines. Oh…and there was that matter of returning to flying after major surgery.

From my perspective, facing challenges and feeling a degree of discomfort is what keeps life interesting. Achieving the goals we set while still being an active and present parent layers on yet another twist. My technique has always been rising early and working in those dark hours before the family stirs and school lunches need to be made. Without doubt, the other key element is a supportive family, for which I am very thankful. As a parent and partner, we also continue to evolve and learn. Like flying a sector, it will never be perfect, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not extremely satisfying and rewarding.

So now I venture forth on another journey, endeavouring to train new pilots on the 787 to the best of my ability. Yes, it means a good deal of preparation before each session, but that will be of benefit to me and ideally the candidates as well. As retirement lurks around the corner, I know that the future won’t involve sitting around idly. It will just raise new challenges for the body and mind and I will welcome them. The learning never stops in this life and that makes it exciting.