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Why Learning to Fly (or Code) Is Easier Than You Think

theatlantic.com

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Re: Why Learning to Fly (or Code) Is Easier Than You Think

#11

Post by dmvaldman »

I've also taken a one-time flying class for about $75. It was... incredible. With no experience, I taxied, took off, piloted (including turning off the engine mid flight and glided, 60 degree turns, etc), and my instructor would have let me land except there was a precarious "cross wind."

I say this to encourage others to try the same, especially if they live near a small airport.

It's amazing just how responsive a small plane is. I felt I had complete control of everything, whether I was a foot off the ground or thousands of feet in the air. I think we have a natural inclination to think that the process is somewhat chaotic. But it's not!

Re: Why Learning to Fly (or Code) Is Easier Than You Think

#12

Post by nkurz »

udp wrote: post #3

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but - as interested as I genuinely am in learning to fly one day, why is it that so many flying-related articles tend to crop up on HN over the months?

It's an interesting question. The logic of the article isn't great, but perhaps there truly are some deep similarities between flight and code. As he points out, both have a tradition of learning by on the job experience, and providing a sense of freedom to those willing to master the basics. Both also have an somewhat uneasy interplay between the 'professionals' and the 'amateurs'.

From the article, the most salient part for me was the "World War II attitude". There are tons of regulations for flying, but in end one is truly in charge of the vessel. Pilots and engineers are among relatively few professions where one can answer 'unable' and presume that the rest of the conversation will take this as fact. You may have to deal with the consequences later, but in the moment you are the expert in control.

Re: Why Learning to Fly (or Code) Is Easier Than You Think

#13

Post by aaroneous »

naba wrote: post #5

Maybe its just but I couldn't get any connection between flying planes and coding from the article. But I do have learning to fly planes on my to-do list

Try a discovery flight. It's a cheap, no-commitment way to see what flying small planes is like.

After you're back on the ground you'll probably find yourself bumping up the priority of flying lessons on your todo.

Re: Why Learning to Fly (or Code) Is Easier Than You Think

#14

Post by aaroneous »

udp wrote: post #3

I don't know if anyone else has noticed this, but - as interested as I genuinely am in learning to fly one day, why is it that so many flying-related articles tend to crop up on HN over the months?

There's a requisite level of precision that I think programmers can feel comfortable with.

There are also few things that are more refreshing after you've been sitting in front of a computer all day than flying to the coast, popping open the window at 4,000ft and taking in a California sunset.

Re: Why Learning to Fly (or Code) Is Easier Than You Think

#15

Post by stevenbedrick »

One of my advisors once summed up aviation-as-a-hobby in one sentence: "The times in your life during which you've got adequate free time to devote to the hobby, you don't have the money... and when you've got the money for it, you don't have the free time."
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