One of the many aspects of the flying community that I like is exactly the attitude that we are all in this together. As a population we know that the risks of flying can be mitigated by thoughtful adherence to not only the the regulations (that, as they say, are written with the blood of others) but to common standards of behavior where we watch each others backs, because it just might be you who gets hit by random chance and are put into a life-threatening situation. I’m not sure where it comes from, but I see more and more in the popular culture the celebration of selfishness, as if giving up a particular right or freedom, even if it’s temporary, is the first step to a totalitarian nanny state. Despite appearances to the contrary, we’re all adults here and adults look at the greater whole for the advancement of the greater good, not because they are forced to, but because they choose to. Sticking to some simple rules of conduct for the common good is frankly not a big imposition.
I’m looking forward to some more dual time in that Cub. I’ll follow what that the instructor asks in order for us both to feel comfortable. If I don’t agree, I won’t fly. I’m free to choose.