Are some pilots and aviation enthusiasts one-trick ponies?

N918KT

N918KT

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I read a thread on GA News website awhile back about Jamie Beckett's article about how some people are one-trick ponies.

http://generalaviationnews.com/2011/04/11/dont-be-a-one-trick-pony/

This makes me wonder if there are some pilots and/or aviation enthusiasts out there who are one-trick ponies or if they only care and talk about aviation or if they don't have anything else to talk about besides aviation? I'm not saying all pilots and aviation enthusiasts out there are like this.

For me, this term, "one-trick pony" describes me a little bit well. I guess aviation is my life and my whole world is airplanes and aviation. But that doesn't mean that I think about aviation all the time. I have a few other interests as well too although not that many.
 
I never talk aviation in polite company. It is boring. And no one understands a tenth of what you are talking about.
 
Only talk it with my aviation enthusiast friends or pilots. Kinda like police talk, only around cops and some family, elsewhere it turns south pretty fast.
 
I hardly talk aviation even with other pilots!
 
Most people talk about work. I'm as guilty as the next in this regard but try to ask folks "what ELSE have you been up to?" after we both get it out of our systems. ;)
 
N918KT said:
I read a thread on GA News website awhile back about Jamie Beckett's article about how some people are one-trick ponies.

http://generalaviationnews.com/2011/04/11/dont-be-a-one-trick-pony/

This makes me wonder if there are some pilots and/or aviation enthusiasts out there who are one-trick ponies or if they only care and talk about aviation or if they don't have anything else to talk about besides aviation? I'm not saying all pilots and aviation enthusiasts out there are like this.

For me, this term, "one-trick pony" describes me a little bit well. I guess aviation is my life and my whole world is airplanes and aviation. But that doesn't mean that I think about aviation all the time. I have a few other interests as well too although not that many.
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Don't sweat the idea. Aviation is an all consuming, challenging, lifetime of pursuit and happiness. Why begrudge yourself?

Until you get into Aviation, there is no way to know how incredibly special it is. Not only is there accomplishment, but there is also transportation and other crazies to share the 'sport' with....

We are all lucky to be alive now when flying is even possible.. Born 100 years ago, and you would find yourself in a 10kt Wright Flyer.
 
I don't really like aviation that much, I just really like POA, so I had to get my SEL in order to fit in.
 
that's us to a tee. It's only airplanes - except during football and hockey season, or fishing season, or hunting season, or skiing season. So for the 1st half of may it's all about flying.
 
I fly but I also sail, write haiku, play the guitar and like long walks on the beach.
I am special.
 
I don't talk in depth about airplanes, except with other pilots. When people ask what I fly I tell the a Cessna or a twin Cessna, that satisfies most folks, if they know aviation, I'll share more. :D
People seem to want to ask a few questions, but I try not to dwell on the subject, unless they are really curious. ;)
 
Talk about aviation ,and my flight to Alaska, also talk boating. Can discuss biking and the gym. Also like to talk fie bourbons. So I think most pilots have many topics to talk about . POA pilots are ready to talk.
 
My wife tells me to shut up when I start talking about flying.... Lonely life... Then she decides to make it better... Can't say anything about that...
 
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects!" -- Lazarus Long

I like aviation... I don't love aviation. Which, given what I spent on my plane, you'd have to wonder... but sometimes I feel like a poser. I can't tell most planes apart. If they have an afterburner, sure, but that's where my interest starts and stops.

I like other things. Most of us do. Most intelligent people do. One trick ponies exist, but I think there's probably something going on in there.... either they're really talented, or maybe something else is missing and they're trying to make up for it. None of my business really. One trick ponies are not the biggest people problem I encounter. It's not even in the top 60 or so.
 
Challenged said:
I don't really like aviation that much, I just really like POA, so I had to get my SEL in order to fit in.
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lol. We're mere serfs, though. Need an Instrument, commercial, then glider, balloon and float, tailwheel, high perf and complex, multi everything and rotorcraft, then there's the CFIIII crap.

I compensate by being much better looking.
 
ClimbnSink said:
I never talk aviation in polite company. It is boring. And no one understands a tenth of what you are talking about.
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Amen. At parties, I don't even bring it up, and if it does come up, I try to let it drop as quickly as it does.

As for other pony tricks, I also love:

Motorcycling: been riding for 29 years, probably well over a half million miles on two wheels, stopped counting years ago. I'd be pleased if I ever get half as good at flying as I am at riding.

Power boating: the family far prefers this to flying.

Sailing: I don't presently own a sailboat, but love to crew on C22s, J-24s, and Flying Scots when I can. (local club races)

Bicycling: been out of the game for two decades, but with the pending move I'm going to become a bicycle commuter.

Free flight: this is one I haven't tried yet, but have keen interest. I'd like to try hang gliding, parasailing, and even a glider ride to see what looks interesting.
 
We are all lucky to be alive now when flying is even possible.. Born 100 years ago, and you would find yourself in a 10kt Wright Flyer.
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That is my feeling also. And, 100 years ago, we could not have "conversed" with other pilots thousands of miles away about something we both care about. I sometimes wonder what it will be like 100 years from now, but try not to dwell on it too much or I might become suicidal :).

I enjoy a lot of things, but I do think about flying a lot. Even if I am fishing, if I hear an airplane fly over, I hit pause for the fishing and start looking for the airplane
 
I have a wide variety of interests, but none that I enjoy as much as flying. Like Greg, I don't bring it up with others except my wife. With that said, every now and then I'll come across someone who is obviously excited about flying and their enthusiasm is contagious. The next thing you know several hours have passed and you're excited to visit his private airstrip or ride in his aircraft.
 
You fly?

Yes

Wow!

Just little stuff, it's no big deal.

OK little stuff, that's cool, what kind of jet do you have Citation 10, G-V, Global Express?

No jet, my Cessna has a propeller.

Propeller???? Oh, um, ok, well, who wants another drink?

Thus endeth the conversation.

Now if I said I just bought a new $140K 911 Turbo S.

WHAT!!!! OMG, let's go see it, you friggen rock!

We get no respect, no respect I tell ya.
 
Alexb2000 said:
You fly?

Yes

Wow!

Just little stuff, it's no big deal.

OK little stuff, that's cool, what kind of jet do you have Citation 10, G-V, Global Express?

No jet, my Cessna has a propeller.

Propeller???? Oh, um, ok, well, who wants another drink?

Thus endeth the conversation.

Now if I said I just bought a new $140K 911 Turbo S.

WHAT!!!! OMG, let's go see it, you friggen rock!

We get no respect, no respect I tell ya.
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So true

If someone brings it's up at a party I'll talk about it till one of us changes the subject.

Everyone is a couple trick pony. Find a doc that also golfs, office worker that plays Warcraft on his computer, construction guy that plays softball, all the same really.

I'd say the difference with pilots would be that it can be done as a profession as well as a hobby/sport/whatever. I fly for work, but I also have my own plane and truly love the GA scene. I also sail (was a liveaboard as a kid), I'm a car guy, skydive, shoot, hike, enjoy building things, dabble in computers, etc.

It's just different compared to the majority of office drone types, once the day is done the last thing they want to talk or think about is work, when my day is done I'm excited about what I did at work, of course when you love what you do it isn't really work is it?

Best to have a few passions, not too many that you're just a tourist in em, but a few.
 
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Alexb2000 said:
You fly?

Yes

Wow!

Just little stuff, it's no big deal.

OK little stuff, that's cool, what kind of jet do you have Citation 10, G-V, Global Express?

No jet, my Cessna has a propeller.

Propeller???? Oh, um, ok, well, who wants another drink?

Thus endeth the conversation.

Now if I said I just bought a new $140K 911 Turbo S.

WHAT!!!! OMG, let's go see it, you friggen rock!

We get no respect, no respect I tell ya.
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Hah!

Funny how that works. Once as I was tying up my plane, some old guy in a rental Cessna parked in the spot next to me. He was giving a couple kids their first ride in a plane. The second they got out the airplane they bolted over to my GSXR, which was parked next to my plane and started taking pictures of it! They completely ignored my airplane.
 
Mistake Not... said:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects!" -- Lazarus Long
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Good quote, one of my favorites. Note that Lazarus Long is the character, Robert Heinlein is the author. I'd heard the quote, but didn't know it was from that book.
 
I'll talk about flying with other pilots if they start first. Sometimes I feel sorry for companions who are not pilots who are listening to us. It must be like me listening to people talk about IT.

I cringe when someone asks me what I do because I know if I say "pilot" it will unleash a barrage of questions and then that will be the only thing they remember about me. I guess I should be glad they remember anything at all.
 
Mistake Not... said:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects!" -- Lazarus Long.
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I've seen some wonderful editorials flame-broiling that quote over the years. There is a reason humans built a civilization on specialities, after original needs were met. Most of the technological advances we've seen past [pick a date, it's debatable] weren't possible without specialists in multiple disciplines.

I'm pretty sure I don't give a crap if a General who can plan invasions and actually win, can do the math for string theory. I'll take the General who can, and a Physicist on my side any day of the week before choosing two generalists who do both functions weakly.

:)
 
denverpilot said:
I've seen some wonderful editorials flame-broiling that quote over the years. There is a reason humans built a civilization on specialities, after original needs were met. Most of the technological advances we've seen past [pick a date, it's debatable] weren't possible without specialists in multiple disciplines.

I'm pretty sure I don't give a crap if a General who can plan invasions and actually win, can do the math for string theory. I'll take the General who can, and a Physicist on my side any day of the week before choosing two generalists who do both functions weakly.

:)
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The key to our success is really that we have both types. You need one for management and one for engineers. When you get a good combination, that's when progress is made most efficiently. Our ability to work cooperatively at the highest levels is what distinguishes us and makes our accomplishments possible. That we don't generally chose to use this ability is why we live in a world of human suffering.
 
Henning said:
The key to our success is really that we have both types. You need one for management and one for engineers. When you get a good combination, that's when progress is made most efficiently. Our ability to work cooperatively at the highest levels is what distinguishes us and makes our accomplishments possible. That we don't generally chose to use this ability is why we live in a world of human suffering.
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It's very strange that you would assume people need "management" right after pushing for socializing most other stuff.

Don't we all just get a grey jumpsuit and equal pay in your utopia? I'm sure someone in the crowd will be able to magically have spent decades learning to fix the wrap drive... LOL. And they won't be in any demand or anything. Think they might get annoyed with those who don't learn and demand more perks?

LOL. Idealism is fun. Doesn't work in the real world but it makes people seem entertaining at cocktail parties. That someone else paid for. ;)
 
denverpilot said:
I've seen some wonderful editorials flame-broiling that quote over the years. There is a reason humans built a civilization on specialities, after original needs were met
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Gee, a quote by a fictional character with a 2000 year lifespan about broadening your horizons upsets people who work on a 1 week worldview.

Whodathunk:rofl:?
 
warthog1984 said:
Gee, a quote by a fictional character with a 2000 year lifespan about broadening your horizons upsets people who work on a 1 week worldview.

Whodathunk:rofl:?
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More interesting is that people without 2000 year lifespans actually don't see it for the drivel it is. Heh. :)
 
denverpilot said:
It's very strange that you would assume people need "management" right after pushing for socializing most other stuff.

Don't we all just get a grey jumpsuit and equal pay in your utopia? I'm sure someone in the crowd will be able to magically have spent decades learning to fix the wrap drive... LOL. And they won't be in any demand or anything. Think they might get annoyed with those who don't learn and demand more perks?

LOL. Idealism is fun. Doesn't work in the real world but it makes people seem entertaining at cocktail parties. That someone else paid for. ;)
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I don't see where management is ever irrelevant. Management is a part of every operation whether a one person show or a 1,000,000 man army. The bigger the project the more management is required. If you have no management, how does the engineering department get their resources?

As it is right now we've already out mechanized our ability to maintain full employment, this trend will only increase. The economic realities of the world are changing, but we are not culturally adapting to the changes very well.

We need to change the value system we place on humans, the old model of they are worth the work they perform is an impossible one to carry forward, there isn't enough work left for people to perform; everyday jobs disappear to mechanization, everyday the population increases. As long as this trend continues, our economic and human value models will become more and more obsolete.
 
zzzzzzz huh, wha?


Oh! Sorry.
By the time I read this far I forgot what I was going to say and when I woke up I found myself facedown on the keyboard. Couple of nasty indentations from the keys in my forehead. If anyone asks about it I'll tell them I'm a Klingtoo, or on, or something and I need to beam back up to my ship.
 
Hah. Talking general aviation with non-aviation folks elicits the same results as talking about mock aerial combat with general aviation people: In both cases, you get funny looks and then are labeled as part of the lunatic fringe.

Or so I've been told.
 
Henning said:
I don't see where management is ever irrelevant. Management is a part of every operation whether a one person show or a 1,000,000 man army. The bigger the project the more management is required. If you have no management, how does the engineering department get their resources?
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Let's talk about your resources. You know, personal. Do you ring up your manager when you need more, or do you know how to manage your own resources, just fine? When you need a case of oil to do an oil change, do you call a manager and ask for the credit card, or is it in your wallet ready to go because you're not an idiot and knew you'd need money to buy the oil to accomplish the goal?

People know damn well how to get and manage resources when they're not shielded from the consequences of screwing it up.

The idea that managers are needed is based in the industrial revolution's concept that individuals are like cogs in a machine and the assembly line needs supervisors.

My best employees in both of my stints in management were those who had personal goals and didn't need managing at all. The ones who started out needing management were easily weened of that silliness they learned in conformity school, once they realized I was serious that their potential to make or save the company money or time, was really unlimited if they built a string of wins. They also needed to learn that I was serious that I'd happily fight to make their compensation commensurate with their achievements.

They could all take care of themselves other than the one guy who needed to be fired for playing video games all day. They didn't need a manager. They needed a coach to tell them that unlike what they'd learned in school, they really were responsible for their own success or failure.
 
denverpilot said:
Let's talk about your resources. You know, personal. Do you ring up your manager when you need more, or do you know how to manage your own resources, just fine? When you need a case of oil to do an oil change, do you call a manager and ask for the credit card, or is it in your wallet ready to go because you're not an idiot and knew you'd need money to buy the oil to accomplish the goal?

People know damn well how to get and manage resources when they're not shielded from the consequences of screwing it up.

The idea that managers are needed is based in the industrial revolution's concept that individuals are like cogs in a machine and the assembly line needs supervisors.

My best employees in both of my stints in management were those who had personal goals and didn't need managing at all. The ones who started out needing management were easily weened of that silliness they learned in conformity school, once they realized I was serious that their potential to make or save the company money or time, was really unlimited if they built a string of wins. They also needed to learn that I was serious that I'd happily fight to make their compensation commensurate with their achievements.

They could all take care of themselves other than the one guy who needed to be fired for playing video games all day. They didn't need a manager. They needed a coach to tell them that unlike what they'd learned in school, they really were responsible for their own success or failure.
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How about ringing up the boss when you know something is not right? Then getting fired for it. This happened quite a bit during the economic meltdown starting in 2007. Wall Street decided to privatize profits and socialize losses. No one has been found guilty.( slap on the wrist fines don't count) This has to change as does sending millions of jobs overseas, cutting back on R&D, absurd salarys for lousy managers, etc. etc. fuld at Lehman bros. A classic example.
 
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denverpilot said:
Let's talk about your resources. You know, personal. Do you ring up your manager when you need more, or do you know how to manage your own resources, just fine? When you need a case of oil to do an oil change, do you call a manager and ask for the credit card, or is it in your wallet ready to go because you're not an idiot and knew you'd need money to buy the oil to accomplish the goal?

People know damn well how to get and manage resources when they're not shielded from the consequences of screwing it up.

The idea that managers are needed is based in the industrial revolution's concept that individuals are like cogs in a machine and the assembly line needs supervisors.

My best employees in both of my stints in management were those who had personal goals and didn't need managing at all. The ones who started out needing management were easily weened of that silliness they learned in conformity school, once they realized I was serious that their potential to make or save the company money or time, was really unlimited if they built a string of wins. They also needed to learn that I was serious that I'd happily fight to make their compensation commensurate with their achievements.

They could all take care of themselves other than the one guy who needed to be fired for playing video games all day. They didn't need a manager. They needed a coach to tell them that unlike what they'd learned in school, they really were responsible for their own success or failure.
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you're working too hard at putting people into silos. There is no question management is needed on every project. That doesn't necessarily imply a role for a particular person. At my day job, on someprojects I'm a manager, on others I'm an engineer. On the farm, on every project I spend part of each day as a manager, part as a laborer, part as an accountant.
 
I never talk about it unless someone asks.

Typical questions asked:

"how big of an airplane can you fly?"

"Can you fly a jet?"

"how much would it cost for you to fly me to Hawaii?"
 
denverpilot said:
Let's talk about your resources. You know, personal. Do you ring up your manager when you need more, or do you know how to manage your own resources, just fine? When you need a case of oil to do an oil change, do you call a manager and ask for the credit card, or is it in your wallet ready to go because you're not an idiot and knew you'd need money to buy the oil to accomplish the goal?

People know damn well how to get and manage resources when they're not shielded from the consequences of screwing it up.

The idea that managers are needed is based in the industrial revolution's concept that individuals are like cogs in a machine and the assembly line needs supervisors.

My best employees in both of my stints in management were those who had personal goals and didn't need managing at all. The ones who started out needing management were easily weened of that silliness they learned in conformity school, once they realized I was serious that their potential to make or save the company money or time, was really unlimited if they built a string of wins. They also needed to learn that I was serious that I'd happily fight to make their compensation commensurate with their achievements.

They could all take care of themselves other than the one guy who needed to be fired for playing video games all day. They didn't need a manager. They needed a coach to tell them that unlike what they'd learned in school, they really were responsible for their own success or failure.
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The resources on the micro scale aren't the problem, it's the resources on the macro scale that are the issue, food, energy, and the most critical, fresh water. These processes need to be combined for efficiency, the energy and fresh water, or we will not have the capability of producing enough fresh water for the consumption and agriculture required for 9billion people to exist. At that point your oil change will be irrelevant.
 
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