response 30 of 95:

Jan 27 13:47 UTC 2006

Sometimes I wonder about the types of pilots who are drawn to buying and
flying old fighter jet trainers like the L-39. They think these machines
are no more complex than their Skyhawk or Baron, and sometimes they are
told this by the people selling the aircraft. Their ignorance usually
results in a loss of investment, of not their lives.

They don't understand that these are some of the most complex aircraft
to fly, requiring strict adherence to procedures to get things right.
There is a reason why airlines like to hire former military fighter
pilots, and it is not because a 747 flies like an F-15. Its because both
types of aircraft require following long checklists and following proper
procedures. If you ever tell a 747 captain that his job is obsolete
because the planes land themselves, he'll probably just chuckle at your
ignorance because the 45 minutes prior to the cat III instrument landing
system kicking in was spent configuring the plane for landing.