If you ever ask an outsider that has spent time in the Golden State, one thing they are bound to tell you is how “flaky” Californians are. As a native who has spent a good amount of time living elsewhere in the country, I agree with this claim. Let us explore why I think this culture seems to be more prevalent here. Definitions What is “flakiness” anyway? The online dictionary defines it as:

A few years ago I called my Dad to wish him a happy 60th birthday. I also asked him to join me on a bike trip along the coast of California at the end of the summer. My Dad had been dreaming of going on this trip for over ten years, but it never came to fruition. My father was in excellent shape for his age, but once he turned sixty it donned on me that the time to do this trip was as soon as possible, before it was too late.

A large component of flight training is learning how to handle unexpected situations in flight. Therein lies the value of well-trained pilots: being able to prioritize and make good aeronautical decisions when it matters most. Carburetor Ice One of the scenarios that most general aviation pilots are aware of is carburetor icing. This situation is well documented across FAA textbooks, exams, and is taught throughout flight training. A significant number of general aviation aircraft still use carbureted engines (as opposed to fuel injected).