when flying, let’s say in a not so good weather, poor visibility, some wind, maybe some rain or simply doing circuits, I do hope that not so deep in your mind, there is a little voice who reminds you that you are flying, reminds you how extraordinary it is and how privileged you are.
I had to laugh at this comment 😮 Flying a scheduled domestic service in a Dornier 228 roughly one year ago, I felt anything but privileged. Slowly drifting down to MSA in severe icing at the best rate of climb speed running the engines on the redline (both temperature and torque), unable to turn back because it would take me longer to reach a lower MSA in that direction, unable to turn left or right because higher MSA was there also. Deciding to use the EGPWS to dodge the terrain if we were forced down among the mountain peaks. I was thanking God, that we only had one terrified passenger in the back, but not 19. Ended up 500 feet BELOW MSA before the altitude stabilized, and shortly after the MSA went down as well and a further decent was possible.
Did I feel privileged? Oh NO! What the h/$# am I doing here? was my feeling. And I felt very privileged when I was on the ground, even if I had to do some paperwork for the CAA.
But your writing is very good, and sums up most of the flights I’ve had. But there are always some flights that arouse that What the h#&% am I doing here? feeling.
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