Ask Captain Lim

Hi Captain Lim,

My name is Jessica (Jester is my nickname). I have been working on this huge project about airplanes and air safety. My ultimate goal is to prove to my entire class and a league of professional judges that airplane travel is perfectly safe. This project consists of a typed 3-5-pages report with a visual aid presentation and/or some way to prove the topic. And the one part that I dread the most - an oral presentation in front of the class and a set of judges who will be considered "professionals" on my chosen topic.

This means that I have to impress people who know about planes inside and out; but I have no knowledge of airplanes whatsoever. I'm really nervous about it and I want to sound smart - obviously - that I know what I'm talking about. I've always been really interested in airplanes and if I could ? I would become a pilot. That's mainly the reason why I choose this as my topic. It'd give me a chance to learn about airplanes as the basis of my schoolwork. But, I've never actually even been in a plane before as I*ve never had the opportunity.

I'm hoping that, maybe, I can find someone who owns a small, personal plane that would take me for a ride. That way, I could experience flying and demonstrate that airplanes are safe. I*d like to get a video recording to show it and maybe, even an interview.

I'd like to ask you specifically, if you could help me with my project, for example, is there anything I should know to say in front of these professional judges that would give a good impression; anything I could say that might be recognized by a professional pilot and shows me to be good. Also, do you know of anyone, or maybe, a specific airport that would let me set up an interview to ask questions?

Off the subject, thank you so much for this site! It really has helped me A LOT! Most of the research I needed for my paper, I got them from your site.

Sincerely

Jester

P.S. You ought to have a quotes page of famous pilots. And, if you'd like, I'll send you the finished report paper so that you can read it ? that is, if you want.

Hi Jessica,

I don't own a small plane nor do I live in the USA (is that where you come from?) to be of much help to you. So I would not be able to give you a ride (to get some video recordings in flight) or set you up for an interview. However, I can introduce you to a lady pilot friend who is also a Boeing 777 pilot (from a major airline in the US). She has written a book (The World at My Feet) and writes an air traveler column for USA Today. She is Cap'n Meryl Getline. Visit her website here and drop her a line. If she is not busy (I believe she is now writing her next book) and if you are lucky, she may be able to give you some tips on how to impress the professional judges as she is also a great speaker.

I am glad that you have been able to get most of the resources for your research paper from my website. Yes, one way to impress the judges is your thorough knowledge of your topic.

I may create a page of famous pilots' quotes when I am free in the future. You can send me a copy of your final research paper if you like.

Wish you a successful presentation.