Do pilots make better car drivers.

[TheGreenGoblin]

I mean it is quite clear that pilots (of all sorts) are better lovers, conversationalists, and funambulists and, even more prone to exaggeration than fishermen, but in MY subjective experience, the pilots I have driven with to date have been good drivers, able to think ahead at speed and respond. Maybe this is just self fulfillment and delusion, but my question was prompted by my recent road trip where I picked up an old friend to drive some 400 miles on the often beautiful but dangerous roads of the Karoo and my passenger, and a man not often given to compliments, least of all to me, turned on the last part of the journey and said "you know you are a good driver". I have never imagined myself more than average and maybe he meant that given the parlous mean in SA, I was better than most, but, whatever, I was apt to take the compliment.

So is it true that pilots are good drivers? Examples of both sides of the proposition would be welcome here!

How good a driver are you?

[TheGreenGoblin]

All too old, or too timid to make a comment!

[bob2s]

Most pilots that I had the misfortune of being a passenger with would never fall into the category of being good drivers, most never mastered the art of speaking
without looking directly at the person they are addressing, consequently, I was often one to shout, watch out, while having a quick intake of breath as the object in
or path grew large. So I guess I can't agree with your statement.

[llondel]

How do you manage the checklist when coming to a stop at a traffic light, or preparing to make a turn across traffic? Or are they all memory items?

[unifoxos]

Old and not bold, but not timid either here.
I remember being pleased once when the CFI called me a "promising pilot" and then I overheard one of our sales reps, who I'd had to drive to an urgent meeting, her car having gone tech at last minute, tell her boss I was "a brilliant driver".

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

How would I know if I'm a good driver?
I don't get checkrides.
I hardly ever have passengers or am a passenger.
When I do, I'm looking at the road not at their faces, unlike bob2s's acquaintances (scary), so I can't tell that way. I don't get comments one way or the other about my driving.
I don't have accidents. I've always avoided the ones other people caused or tried to cause.
I spent most of my flying career either engineering collisions or avoiding them, often very fast and close to the ground. I should think that helps.
I can operate all the necessary controls without having to look at them.
And I know when my performance is starting to drop off, so I take a break.
But I have no independent confirmation of how good that performance is.

[Pontius Navigator]

In my early experience pilots drove wrecks.
I narrowly avoided buying a Hillman, it needed new sills.
I sold my second car to a pilot whose Mini was falling apart.
Our copilot drove an Anglia van. He later left the sump of his Porshe on a kerb stone.
Our Nimrod QFI drove a car with a seriously crumpled wing.
Now Navigators drove immaculate cars immaculately.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

I never drove whilst I was in.
I rode motorcycles.
My first four wheeled vehicle was a Tornado F3.
I was not the only one who couldn't drive a car - I think there were 5 of us - 2 pilots and 3 navs.
When any of us were SDO, they had to give us a car and driver. I think some beancounter in the MoD removed the training requirement for officers to have car licences in the late '70s. Caused no end of hassles for MT.

[PHXPhlyer]

D#1 is scheduled for her PPL checkride Tuesday. She does not drive either.
I intend to hold you up as a role model.
I hope I'm not putting too much pressure on you.

PP

[ExSp33db1rd]

RAF pilot training. Sent to the RCAF circa 1956. On arrival in rural Canada learned that the local butcher conducted tests and issued driving licences. First time allowed off base was a Saturday morning, so off half a dozen of us went to the village, but the butcher was too busy to drive test rides with us, but said " I guess you all have English licences, just fill in these forms and I'll issue Canadian licences ". We then went back to camp and taught two of the group to drive ! One subsequently converted this Canadian licence to a British one, and has never taken a test anywhere, but is still driving, internationally at times,some 66 years later. Experience is the best tutor.

At age 85 I took advantage of a free NZ. AA "assessment " ride, not Pass or Fail, but was told that I would have passed the standard test. I commented that one of my pet hates are drivers who Stop approaching a roundabout when the sign is only Give Way, and that Give Way doesn’t necessarily mean Stop, but only "don't impede the progress of", so if approaching traffic has not yet entered the circuit, there is no need to stop. He heartily agreed and said he failed any candidates who stop unnecessarily at Give Way signs. Well done !

[G-CPTN]

My parents (born 1909 and 1911) never had to pass a driving test.

Mother rode a motorcycle when she was was a young teenager (as well as driving a taxi for her father's transport business) until she met and married my father aged 22.

And for 'taxi' read 3 litre 'heavy motor car'.

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

Well PHXPhlyer, as a former CFI in Phoenix, may I wish her the best of luck!

..and I didn't drive cars in PHX either, had a bike again.

[PHXPhlyer]

Well PHXPhlyer, as a former CFI in Phoenix, may I wish her the best of luck!

..and I didn't drive cars in PHX either, had a bike again.

My your wish be granted.
It has been a real ordeal for her.
Much drama, some self induced, but also instructors, Covid, WX, A/C availability, etc.

PP

[Fox3WheresMyBanana]

One of my tasks was to pick up the students that other instructors had messed up, so I do sympathize.

Wx in PHX ???

[PHXPhlyer]

KP03

[Hydromet]

I'm not a pilot, but am a much better than median driver....




just like 90% of people.