Hey Pal
I am back on the newsletter bus. I had to make an executive decision to cancel a few subscriptions toward the end of last year in a feeble attempt to save a few ZAR. The mass email sending subscription is on the pricey side for whatever reason. It seems like it should be a straightforward bit of software but evidently not.
I am sure your inbox is already inundated by well procured newsletters from every corner of the globe. It got me thinking what can I offer you guys so that it added a bit of value to your daily lives. The newsletter will follow a similar format each week taking elements from the weekly Bryan Air episode and happenings from the simulator centre.
I also guarantee that not a single word from this newsletter will be generated by AI. You may even pick up some grammar and spelling mistakes which will hopefully add to its authenticity. I have to admit that a quick scroll of my Linkedin feed and it appears that my entire network is creating journalistic award-winning writing with carefully positioned emoji’s and thoughtful community engagement questions. It is driving me a bit bonkers, so I am going to steer clear of that lane and try write with a bit authority from the brain and the heart.
AVIATION MOTIVATION
This past week I was fortunate enough to train two youngsters on the ERJ 145 simulator for a type rating. These guys were so well prepared and such a pleasure to teach. In fact I found my ability to instruct improved 10 fold, the enjoyment of the simulator sessions was improved and the sometimes boring time in the back of the simulator at the instructors station simply flew by. Airline pilot training is a give and take scenario, if the instructor is feeding advice and it’s landing on deaf ears, the energy drops for everyone, the advice becomes less, the progress diminishes and the overall experience of the type rating is comprised.
When the students play the active student role of being eager to learn and the instructor eager to give then you are on onto a winning combination. Jordan Peterson says "Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you need to know and listen to the hard enough that they will tell it to you.” When your students have this mindset, being a simulator instructor is extremely rewarding.
BRYAN AIR
I do a weekly podcast with my best mate Ryan, where I pretend to understand what is happening in the airline industry. You can subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
THINGS I’M WORKING ON
Jiu Jitsu practice twice a week. I have 3 stripes on my white belt. I am hoping to get a 4th mid year and then maybe, just maybe a blue belt at the end of the year.
Reading Daniel Priestly books. I heard Daniel speak on the DOAC podcast last year and was fascinated with his approach to modern digital businesses. I like what he says and you may notice a few elements of his creeping into my workflow.
New website - I have been upgrading my personal website to better reflect my 2025 “brand”. It is not quite perfect but it’s getting there. If you want to check it out and let me know what you think please feel free to do so. my website
Getting used to school again. My little girl has started Grade 000. I get a big kick out of dropping her off and picking her up when the work schedule allows me to. I tried to some-up my “bio” the other day. I went backwards and forward but eventually settled on something that means a lot to me.
“Guided by flight deck discipline, fueled by family and powered by perseverance (my core value).
Hope you enjoyed this little snipped of non AI wisdom. Please feel free to share it along. Thanks for reading.
BIG LOVE
Bryan