A delightful post Fred. I always enjoy reading your thoughts. It
reminded me of something Wolf Hirth wrote that I've included below.
Hope to see you at the convention. Regards, Matt Michael CFIG,
Woodstock N20609 Ames Iowa



Twelve Commands for Soaring Pilots

Wolf Hirth (1900-1959)


1st Command
Whoever wants to become a soaring pilot must have a pure and strong
desire to make the heavens a second home---as the sailor, the sea.

2nd Command
And as the sailor must know and love the elements of the sea, thus
must the soaring pilot know and love the elements of the sky; it's
winds, clouds, storms, and dangers.

3rd Command
You must fly for flying's sake.

4th Command
You must also have an eye and a heart for the beauty which flying
opens up in the blue expanse of the sky with it's radiant mountains of
clouds and the new strangely changed earth; otherwise your heart
remains empty and you would be blind with seeing eyes.

5th Command
You must want to know the element of air better and better, to be an
investigator eager for knowledge so that each flight leads to ever
greater performances, opening up all possibilities of the air-ocean.

6th Command
You must love the struggle with the forces of nature and there must be
an obstinacy within to be stronger than the storm and tempest.

7th Command
Never should you risk more than can be accomplished

8th Command
You should offer a pure being to the pure element, air. When you
climb into your plane you should be in top form, bodily, mentally, and
spiritually.

9th Command
As sailors their ships, and riders, their horses, you must know and
control your plane exactly; you must know it's flying characteristics
and limits of performance, and it's special inclinations and
aversions.

10th Command
And as sailors carefully care for and maintain their ships, and
riders, their horses, you must do the same for your plane. You must
foster it, take care of it, and be fond of it as a living thing.

11th Command
You must gradually become one with your plane as if the wings were
your own.

12th Command
One must be able to recognize soaring pilots not only by the white
gull on a blue background, but also by the bright free glance, the
ever helpful comradeship, and the complete lack of vanity and petty
convictions. Then we can be found anywhere among the people and
unite; we will form the beginning of a new nobility, and at the same
time be the first citizens of a free, peaceful, and unified world.