There is a peculiar gratification in receiving congratulations from one's squadron for a victory in the air. It is worth more to a pilot than the applause of the whole outside world.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
To be told you've won a MacArthur fellowship is very flattering and gratifying personally.
Being a display pilot is probably the thing I've been most proud of in my life. Don't really fly anymore now though. I have three small children and as most of my friends were killed in different accidents, I realised that it was probably just a matter of time before I went that way.
The glory of being a carrier pilot has certainly worn off.
Does getting an award make you happy? When you imagine yourself at the ceremony, you're always so eloquent and gracious. In reality, it's kind of awkward.
One of my great joys in life is being a pilot. There is a great sense of freedom in soaring through the sky. You get a different perspective up there. Seeing things that aren't so apparent from the ground.
It's important in life to celebrate any victory in life.
Occasionally if you do something extraordinary, the crew responds with spontaneous applause, but that's very rare.
The applause is a celebration not only of the actors but also of the audience. It constitutes a shared moment of delight.
Writers have told me more than once that I'm a better interview in defeat than in victory, which is a compliment I am extremely proud of.
The moment when you find out when you shoot the pilot - getting the pilot is a small victory. You shoot the pilot, and when you get picked up, that's a huge victory right there.