December, 1997

 BEWARE OF GOOD ENOUGH

Over 20 years ago, my dad gave me the following poem that he clipped out of his company's sales magazine. It sort of set a standard for me that has assisted me through seven years of active duty and three years in the reserves, of which the last nine have been in the same squadron. When I was younger, the term "good enough" meant that it was just a little past the unacceptable; and now, whenever I preflight or hear that sound that doesn't sound quite right, "good enough" means perfect or as close to it as possible. For all you "younger" aviators out there, please read this poem twice-the life you save may be your own. The author is unknown.

My friend, be aware of "good enough."
It isn't made of sterling stuff.
It's something any man can do;
It marks the many from the few.
It has no merit to the eye;
It's something any one can buy.
Its name is but a sham and bluff,
For it is never "good enough."

With "good enough" the shirkers stop
In every factory and shop.
With "good enough" the failures rest
And lose to those who give their best.
With "good enough" the plane breaks down
And we fall short of high renown.
My friend, remember, and be wise,
In "good enough" disaster lies.

With "good enough" have ships been wrecked.
The forward march of armies checked.
Great buildings burned and fortunes lost.
How can the world compute the cost?
In life and money it has paid
Because at "good enough" we stayed.
Who stops at "good enough" shall find
Success has left them far behind.

There is no "good enough" that's short
Of what you can do and you ought.
The flaw which may escape the eye
And temporarily get by
Shall weaken underneath the strain
And wreck the ship or car or plane.
For this is true; you should not bluff...
Only the best is "good enough."

PILOT QUESTIONNAIRE

Please fill out the following to help Honolulu Automated Flight Service Station serve you better.

Background Information
The following is a list of items that Honolulu Flight Service includes on the Telephone Information and Briefing System (TIBS).

a) SIGMETs (TIBS 302)
b) AIRMETs (TIBS 302)
c) Area Forecasts (FAs) (TIBS 305-309)
d) Current METARs (TIBS 303)
e) PIREPs (TIBS 304)
f) Terminal Area Forecasts (TAFs) (TIBS 310)
g) Synoptic Discussion (TIBS 301)
h) VFR Flight Not Recommended Advisories (VNR) (TIBS 302)
i) Winds aloft (TIBS 311)
j) Special events (TIBS 313)
k) Airspace procedures (TIBS 314)

Several of the above items are combined for area/route briefings for the following:

a) Island of Oahu (TIBS 305)
b) HNL-LIH route (TIBS 306)
c) HNL-OGG route via north shores of Molokai & Maui(TIBS 307)
d) HNL-OGG route via south shores of Molokai & Maui(TIBS 308)
e) Island of Hawaii (TIB 309)

QUESTIONNAIRE

1) Is there any information not included in the area/route briefings that you would like included? ( ) YES ( ) NO
If yes, please indicate what information. _______________________________________

2) Is there any information we do not include, on any other recording, that you would like included? ( ) YES ( ) NO
If yes, please indicate what information. ______________________________________

3) How could Honolulu Automated Flight Service serve you better?
_______________________________________________________________________

4) In your opinion, what is the level of service being provided by Honolulu Automated Flight Service?
Poor>1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10<Outstanding
Thank you for your time. (Please return to Honolulu Automated Flight Service)

In Loving Remembrance of James Allen Kincaid,
FAA Designated Pilot Examiner 1936-1997

High Flight

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of-wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence, Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting wind along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious burning blue
Ive topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
Where never lark, or even eagle, flew,
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Happy Holidays and Mele Kalikimaka...

SAFETY SEMINARS

No Safety Seminars for December

THE SAFETY BEAT WITH TWEET

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

The difference between education and experience: Education is what you get from reading the small print. Experience is what you get from not reading it.

WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

There are no Wings for the month of December

Pacific Island Flyer, Home