Man's flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge.— Austin 'Dusty' Miller, the quote on the Eagle & Fledgling statue at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Donated by personnel from Air Training Command in 1952.  … [Read more...]

The three worst things to hear in the cockpit:The second officer says, "Oh shit!"The first officer says, "I have an idea!"The captain say, "Hey, watch this!"— anon.  … [Read more...]

Think ahead of your airplane. … [Read more...]

Once committed to an attack, fly in at full speed. After scoring crippling or disabling hits, I would clear myself and then repeat the process. I never pursued the enemy once they had eluded me. Better to break off and set up again for a new assault. I always began my attacks from full strength, if possible, my ideal flying height being 22,000 ft because at that altitude I could best utilize the performance of my aircraft. Combat flying is based on the slashing attack and rough maneuvering. In combat flying, fancy precision aerobatic work is … [Read more...]

These days no one can make money on the goddamn airline business. The economics represent sheer hell. — C. R. Smith, President of American Airlines.   … [Read more...]

I have known today a magnificent intoxication. I have learnt how it feels to be a bird. I have flown. Yes I have flown. I am still astonished at it, still deeply moved.— Le Figaro, 1908.  … [Read more...]

To be able to rise from the earth;to be able, from a station in outer space,to see the relationship of the planet earth to other planets;to be able to contemplate the billions of factors in precise and beautiful combination that make human existence possible;to be able to dwell on an encounter of the human brain and spirit with the universe—all this enlarges the human horizon . . .— Norman Cousins, 1973.  … [Read more...]

The men flyers have given out the impression that aeroplaning is very perilous work, something that an ordinary mortal should not dream of attempting. But when I saw how easily the man flyers manipulated their machines I said I could fly.— Harriet Quimby.  … [Read more...]

Skydiving has been my life, and it will probably be my death too. But hopefully not yet, for I have many years of jumps left in me.— Robin Wilcox, four days before dying too soon, 1997.  … [Read more...]

The chess board is the world, the pieces are the phenomena of the universe, the rules of the game are what we call the laws of Nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just and patient. But we also know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance.— Thomas Huxely  … [Read more...]