Failure--The Best Instructor

Yesterday, the words of my flight examiner, "You are a no-go," stung. Experience taught me long ago that failure is not an end. Instead, it is an opportunity to examine what went wrong, assess how to improve, learn, grow, and be ready for the next time.

In my case, the "next time" was immediately available. As I glanced down at the airport 1600 feet below, my examiner asked, "So, do you want to proceed with the rest of the test?" Despite my preparation, at that moment, I felt tired and disheartened at my mistake. Landing seemed like a good option to reset.

I was 60% through what had been a solid instrument flight check ride, one of the hardest tests pilots take (only about 15% of pilots have this current rating). The instrument rating allows a pilot to fly in almost all conditions. Earlier this year, I had passed the written test and earlier that day, I had passed the oral instrument rating test, a two-hour conversation with the examiner demonstrating mastery of topics such as airspace, weather, air traffic control, airplane requirements, safety, and flight planning.

Pilot check rides are binary, pass or fail, creating significant pressure for success. I have undergone plenty of varied mental and physical assessments with binary outcomes--Special Forces Qualification Course, Ph.D. dissertation defense, Best Ranger, running for Congress, ultramarathons, Senate confirmation, and Sommelier certification. Most I passed. Some I failed. But they all shared slim margins for error, necessitating long hours of studying and physical preparation. For most of this year, I'd post up on my Concept 2 rower at night after we got the girls down, watching pilot videos.

Yet with all the groundwork and 160+ hours of flying, I still failed to execute perfectly. I lacked mastery despite my familiarity with the knowledge. In aviation, there is no room for complacency or shortcuts.

Failure is an invaluable learning experience if approached with the proper growth mindset (if you haven't read Mindset by Dweck, highly recommend it). As a parent, I aim to instill the same mindset in my children. There is pressure to look/be perfect and avoid risk. I deemphasize the outcome and emphasize the significance of doing their best and learning from mistakes. Failure is an inevitable aspect of a life fully lived. Doing hard things is hard by definition.

"Onwards" I replied to the examiner. I took a deep breath, refocused on my instruments, and kept flying, performing well enough to pass the remainder of the test. Later that day, I retrained with my instructor, returned to the examiner, flew, and passed the failed portion, earning my instrument rating.?When I got back to the office I posted the failure notice on my office wall, in between the diplomas and awards—a good reminder to me.

Failure is the best instructor. It reinforces the importance of resilience, determination, and a growth mindset. It reminds me that success requires effort and risk, and the flight may not always be smooth, but it is worth the journey.

Onwards,

Tommy

#pilots #failure #growthmindset