Fly Low

No sooner had a trainee pilot learnt how to taxi, take off and climb with an airplane than he began to flout the advice of his instructors. Initially a level-headed, respectful and diligent chap, as soon as Jim passed his second stage flying examinations, which guaranteed his operation of an airplane, things changed. Jim started living the ‘I don arrive’ (recalcitrant) lifestyle.

As an intelligent kid and coming from one of the low-income families in the county, Jim studied on full scholarship and was considered for the most prestigious flying training offered by the flying institute. There were seven stages in the flying training and already at stage two; Jim was taking some of the third and fourth stage courses due to his brilliance and the privileges granted to him.

The flying school had a reputation for excellence and ensured every trainee pilot met all the minimum requirements before being granted a license as a full pilot. Part of these requirements included sound ethical and respectful behaviors. Jim ended up falling short.

On several occasions, Jim flew outside of his assigned aeronautical miles and went higher than his designated altitude. In all these cases, he apologized, was reprimanded and nothing dangerous really happened.

On the Saturday morning preceding the week of his commencement of stage three courses, as part of his school’s assigned practices, Jim had flown one of the most technologically-advanced airplanes of the flying institute – a KXT1 Jet Series. High up in the air and caught up in the euphoria of how sophisticated and agile the ‘machine’ was, Jim lost it.

Rather than keep his pilot headsets tightly fitted to his ears and stay on the radio frequency communicating signals from the control station, Jim switched to his personal headphone and tuned to a satellite radio enjoying Jazz music.

About that time, his instructor at the control station sensed a Tornado heading in Jim’s direction. Quickly, he grabbed his radio equipment and at the top of his voice shouted:

‘Charlie-two-six-echo, this is Base 022, do you copy?’, ‘Charlie-two-six-echo, this is Base 022, can you hear me?’ ‘Strong SW wind in the direction of Eagle 1, descend immediately’. Expedite! Expedite! Expedite!

Jim was in another world having fun; he could not hear anything being transmitted to him.

Like a mighty bang, Eagle 1 was hit very badly by the Tornado. Jim lost complete control high up in the air. With several tumultuous noises in and around Eagle 1 afterwards, this pride of the air and much-sort after machine, was divided into countless pieces.

But for the parachute that Jim had on, he would have lost his life during this mishap. In the middle of a thick bush hundreds of miles away from the flying school, Jim’s battered body was later found close to a Lake. Fortunately, he still had vital signs.

Following this incidence and upon his recovery, Jim was brought before a disciplinary committee with representatives from his county, the state and the aviation regulatory council.

The verdict: a life-time ban from operating any type of flying equipment.

His dream of becoming one of the youngest pilots of his time was dashed. Life never became the same for him afterwards.

In life, those who refuse to be guided will be grounded. We are not on planet earth for fun; we are here for serious business.

For every opportunity we have, there are hundreds looking for the same. We must value advice and cherish guidance.

Let’s make the best of the year ahead; let’s FLY LOW!