Patience - skill #213

When learning to fly there are many many skills you have to learn. One of the most important is patience. Especially when you are a VFR (visual flight rules) pilot.

I was scheduled last Sunday for a cross-country flight with my instructor to Tyler, TX. I cancelled it because my wife's birthday was that weekend and the family wanted to have a luncheon. I felt like the timing was just too tight for me to eat, visit, get my flight planning done and get to the airport on time.

So I rescheduled for today, Friday. But, alas, though it looks beautiful outside my window there are low clouds hanging around near my destination. And in between me and my destination. So, though the flight might have been possible I took the safe route and cancelled again.

Unfortunately, with my work schedule my next opportunity is not until next weekend. (And people ask my why it's taking so long to get my license!).

All too often you hear about accidents where a pilot (or the passengers) have got a serious case of get-there-itis and they push their luck until it breaks. I don't think I have that much luck stored up so I'm taking the safe route and choosing instead to deal with my disappointment instead of dealing with flying in a cloud.

If you're in that much of a hurry, book a seat on a Southwest flight and let the pros do all the work.