Pilots and Passengers

There are certain things you expect your passenger-friends to know, but they won't (like the altitude of that mountain). There are certain things you expect your passenger-friends to be interested in, but they aren't (like the Vx speed). And there are certain things you expect your passenger-friends to do, but they can't (like change the frequency). So how is it possible that flying with 'normal' people can be so insightful?

Well, perhaps passengers are harsher critics - they're not going to forgive your bad landing because of a cross wind. They've also had less practice at concealing squirms and nausea. So it's likely that if your 'Straight and Level' is a little 'Skew and Tilted', you'll hear all about it. (Or, god-forbid, see all about it.)

Despite the stress of performing professionally (no low-level flying, ground-effect or diving), passengers point out the obvious things can pilots begin to neglect - like the fact that you said "one crew" instead of "one crew, one pax". Or that ATC said fly at 5500 feet, but you're at 5800 feet.

Yet, with every medium bank there is revived excitement and awing at the view. There is curiosity with every radio transmission.

You also learn to re-admire the Magaliesberg Escarpment you've flown over hundreds of times.