Motivation

Great things happen when Motivation meets Capacity

At QF32 page 23, I detailed how my father, rather than push me into any profession,  made opportunities available to me and nurtured my interests.  The results were profound.  After deciding as a 14 year old to join the RAAF, my marks improved from a (conceded) pass to A levels.

That was the power of motivation to me.

Forty five years after my father motivated me, Les Schirato wrote to me including this passage:

Richard I wonder if your father realised when he passed on to you his love of flight, the number of lives that you and your crew would save and the number of people that you would influence through your experience.

Thank you Les.  I will be happy if my book and experiences can help motivate others to follow their passion and “seize the day”.

Lessons

Parents – nurture your children.

Stop being disappointed with the children you have and love the ones you’ve got

Read to your children.  Tell them stories because the narratives in successful stories mimic the paths to success in life:  Challenge-Failure, Enlightenment, Development, Challenge-Success.

Don’t push but support.  Let your children create their vision for their future.   Stop being disappointed with the children you have and love the ones you’ve got.

Support passion, experimentation and growth.  Don’t do it for them but help show them the path and then let them fall, get dirty, fail, experience the challenge of effort, and to finally experience the thrill, reward and dignity of success.

Effort is the entry fee to success.   Through effort comes confidence.  Through confidence comes courage.  Through courage comes fearlessness. Through fearlessness comes contentment and success.

I am sure that Dad would have echoed these words 45 years ago!

Letters and eMails

I am astounded that my story of “QF32” has influenced children as young as three years old.  I am amazed and pleased to discover that three year old children opening non-fiction books!

I list below some of the letters and eMails that I have received since the book has been published.  These messages are “food for thought” for parents and educators.

See also

• Canberra Grammar’s Code Cadets
• Aviation Pathways for Aspiring Aviators

Mars Jackson (3 years old)

Mars’ and Oliver’s stories have reset my knowledge and expectations about the remarkable learning powers of the self-motivated human mind

Mars’ and Oliver’s stories (following) show how a young child’s mind can focus on and develop knowledge in conceptual subjects such as aircraft, engines and engine failures.  These children are arranging thoughts, perceptions and anticipations at an age slightly older than when they first learn to speak!

Mars’ and Oliver’s stories support the theories (Scammons Curves) for the capacity for rapid growth during early child development.   Mars and Oliver prove my theory that great things happen when motivation meets capacity.

Mars Jackson’s mother Vienna writes (Nov 2014):

You have no idea how much [your QF32 book] has meant to my son! He was over the moon, and has told everyone at “School” that “my friend Captain de Crespigny wrote in here for me and Mommy!”.   He carries the book everywhere in a special little case (it’s still in pristine condition).

I’m gonna be a good pilot like him. I won’t crash my plane. I’ll fix and and then talk about it (Mars Jackson, 3 years old)

It’s been our bedtime story, he’s always so excited, and he’ll sometimes ask to watch QF32 on ACI a few nights a week, saying “Look Mommy! Captain de Crespigny is my friend! I’m gonna be a good pilot like him. I won’t crash my plane. I’ll fix and and then talk about it, like him” (Vienna Jackson, Nov 2014)

Oliver Klaas (3 yrs old)

Jason & Sophie Klaas write:  (Dec 2014)

Your book “QF32” has made a substantial impact on our little guy.

Young three year old Oliver is constantly flying around the house saying he’s Qantas A380 and he needs to get Engine 2 fixed.

He is totally fascinated by flying, Qantas, A380’s and I think he’s your number one fan.

I asked him what message he wants to give you and he simply said “I love you captain Richard”.

Adam Mohammed Amer

Adam Mohammed Amer

Etihad Airways made 6 year-old Adam a Pilot for a Day.  His knowledge exposes his incredible dedication to aviation and the Airbus A380.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62LWLJGFXko

Adarsh Karthik (5 years old)

Richard your biggest fan ( though very small) is in my house in Nederland, Texas.

This is my 5 year old son, his name is Adarsh.   He loves aero planes and can guess any model/make with just a look. In fact, I got to know about you only through him. He watches you daily and aspires to be [a pilot].

Adarsh is crazy about A380s and A340s.  From the time he saw the QF32 video on YouTube, it’s become a daily story during our long drive to school.   Initially it was only him narrating the story, now Adarsh feels I am trained enough, so both of us narrate one line each.

I enjoy watching him explaining to me the water ingestion test, tail strike test etc.  I really get carried away by his knowledge of the aeroplanes which is his passion.

He wants to be a pilot like you and I am proud of him.

Thanks & Regards,

Vidhya

 

Captain Edward

Tyne Jones

9 years old – October 2015

Tyne Jones is planning his own Australian regional airline.  He has appointed his friends into positions of management and flying duties.  Here is a picture of Tyne with Coral and me taken in October 2015.   Good luck Tyne!

10 years old – February 2016

Hello Richard,

Daddy organised something good for me today.  We went to Sydney Seaplanes and I went inside a real airplane for the first time!  I sat in the pilot’s seat and used all the controls – it was great!

Here is a photo of me in the Pilot’s seat of a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver … it was built in 1947.  I used all of the flying controls – ailerons, elevators – and even the rudder !

And here’s me in the pilot’s seat of a Cessna Caravan C208.  It was hard to reach the pedals !

Tyne Jones

CEO, WEX Airlines

Max Liebmann  (9 years old)

To Captain Richard,

Here is my school project.   I got a choice of any topic and I chose your QF32 incident.   I got 10/10!

It was great to meet you at the airport after your flight.

Eve Cogan (10 years old)

It’s difficult to know where to start describing this inspired young woman.

Eve is self motivated.  Using her own words, multimedia, energy and social media, she raised the profile of David Warren (inventor of the “Black Box” flight recorder) and gave him the recognition that he deserves after his death.

No one could wish for a more fitting reviewer/biographer of their life than David Warren.

You will no doubt come to meet Eve as she continues to develop and challenge the status quo.  Don’t get in her way!

Best wishes Eve for wherever your passion takes you.

Click here to view Eve’s videos, campaigns and blogs

Rojan  (11 years old)

Zachary Johnson  (12 years old)

Dear Richard your book is really inspiring i hope to be a pilot one day i am 12.

Rohit Kosh  (12 years old)

I am a 12 year old, who wants to be a pilot.

After reading this book, i felt that the way that you had handled the situation onboard QF32 was highly professional and i also liked the way you described your flying. it was the best book i have ever read!

Thanks for writing this book, and i will be buying ‘Big Jets’ soon.

Lian Han  (12 years old)

..  i am 12 years old and want to be a pilot when i grow up ..

hello,

i have just read you book and it is amazing. i am 12 years old and want to be a pilot what i grow up. please tell me if you fly from perth to sydney please!!!!!

Thanks Liam

Patti Smith (12 years old)

.. you made me want to be a pilot even more!

Sir, you’re my role model ….  Furthermore, you made me want to be a pilot even more! 100% inspiration and 900% hard work and love of flight! This year I’m 13 so I’ll be joining the Air Cadet in Brighton. If possible, could you help me with everything to join RAF when I’m older, like sending me tips and answering my questions, it would be a great privilege and honor if a skillful and experience pilot were to help me. Thank you.

Liam Waddill (14 years old)

An awesome book even for a 14 year old!    It has so many great lessons for every grade of pilot! I thoroughly enjoyed it,  thank you Richard!

Jack Woodman

 

14 years old – November 2014

Hi Richard,

My name is Jack Woodman, I met you at the Uiver Memorial Presentation in Albury last year.

Reading your book was nothing compared to listening to you talk about QF32 in detail. It was almost like we were behind you in the cockpit, observing as you and your crew brought back the Nancy-Bird Walton.

For Christmas, I received a gift card for a trial flight at the Riverina Aviation College, and today I went out to the airfield to give aviating a go.   The weather was perfect, and although the compact size of the Cessna 150 had Mum worried, in no time I was up in the air.

It was an amazing experience!   The little plane was blown about a bit, but like a boat in waves it kept going!  I soon had a feel for the aircraft, and after a while was able to bank and then level off without much trouble.

I am going for another session next week, where I will receive a BAK study kit, which hopefully I can juggle with school work!

Thanks again for talking to me last year, you have inspired me and stopped any doubts I had about a potential career in aviation.  Best wishes,  Jack Woodman.

14 Years Old – October 2015

Rich, last Saturday, I finished my eighth hour of training, and have completed Straight and Level, Turns, Climbing, Descending and Stalls, and am currently working hard on my circuits!

It has been quite an adventure, and have made some great friends along the way.

I am currently 14, and my goal is to make my solo flight on my 15th birthday, however that depends on how well I develop my hours and skill level over the next four months.

Last week I received my ARN, and have booked a Class 2 medical test with a CASA certified doctor.

My study for RPL has been challenging, but no doubt beneficial.   My early struggles to complete checklists in a perfectly working aircraft pale in comparison to what you and Matt tackled on the Nancy-Bird Walton!

One rainy day recently, ATC disallowed our takeoff, so my instructor and I went back inside to wait out the storm. We ended up talking about your amazing book, and he mentioned that he flew with you.  His name is Grahame Carroll, and he wanted me to say hello to you for him!

Once again, I would like to thank you for talking to me at the presentation. Our conversation there, along with past emails have really boosted my confidence, and inspired me to take on aviation!Best wishes,  Jack Woodman

Richard responds:  Thanks for this update Jack.  You are very fortunate to ahve Grahame Carroll as your instructor.   We were friends and I flew with him in the RAAF.  You will receive the best training!  Keep the study going and reach for the stars!  Best Wishes.  Rich

15 years Old – March 2016

Rich here’s my update on my  aviation adventures!

During the Christmas holidays, I attended a week-long RPL BAK course at Riverina Aviation College. It was very hard work, and at times I had my doubts, but I ended up passing the exam at the end of the course. I was happy with my result and am glad to have that out of the way!

My flying has progressed well, and on my 15th birthday I completed my first solo. Usually my flight school aims to surprise the student, however we had the goal to try and get up there on my birthday. I completed some circuits in the C150, before my instructor called a full stop and jumped out at the holding point. It wasn’t until the centreline lined up in my vision that the nerves really kicked in! (Although mum thinks she was more nervous than me!) It was a very quiet day, so the ATC was kind enough to let my parents watch my circuit from the tower. The circuit itself was not eventful, and I mangled to come down without a scratch.

I am currently working towards my 20th hour of flight, and am enjoying every minute of it, thanks to people like you and my ex RAAF instructor Grahame Carol.  Here is a link to the Border Mail article

Thanks for your emails, support and encouragement. It really meant a lot to me.  Many thanks,  Jack.

Richard Responds:  Congratulations Jack.  I am proud of all your efforts to gain your solo at the earliest age.   You must also feel so very proud.   However good it feels, remember that the smallest aircraft can hurt you just as much as a big jet.   So keep a cool calm head, listen to your instructors and never feel that you are ever “on top of it”.  I don’t!  Best wishes to you and your family.  Rich

 

 

 

For school teachers and mentors

Education is the first key to resilience for every person on planet Earth.   Never underestimate the profound difference that teachers make to our lives.

In “QF32” I described how my teachers helped me gain sufficient school marks to qualify for the Royal Australian Air Force.   I owe you all a lifetime of thanks.

It was my privilege and pleasure to meet Mr Nigel Creese, my school headmaster  42 years ago and show him my A380 workplace.

Safe Travels Mr and Mrs Creese!