Flying in the Face of Fear by Kim "KC" Campbell

The concept of chair flying is something I employed to prepare myself for flying missions, but I have also used the same technique in many situations in my personal and professional life. I could find my weaknesses and study harder or practice more so when it came time for the actual mission, I was better prepared. Chair flying essentially meant I got a free mission to practice before I ever got into the airplane. I would then talk through every part of my mission, practicing radio calls, thinking through maneuver parameters, and analyzing potential areas that could go wrong on the mission. Every night before I flew, I would sit in a chair in my room facing a diagram of the cockpit on the wall. By using a pilot’s preparation technique called chair flying, I could visualize and practice for a mission in advance. It’s about stepping up to take action in the face of fear and having the courage to respond even when you’re scared.I never felt like a natural pilot and it certainly didn't come easy, so I had to work hard at it. TAKEAWAY: “It’s not the fear that matters it’s all about what you do in that moment. Kim’s husband Scott was also an A-10 pilot and we spend some time discussing the challenges that arise in a dual military marriage. In an early example of the grit she exhibited during her entire life, Kim wouldn’t take no from the Air Force Academy and would be selected to be the Cadet Wing Commander her senior year. Kim told her father she was going to become an astronaut after witnessing the Challenger shuttle disaster. Navigate – gain situational awareness and communicate – ask for help. The lessons learned from that experience and her years of leading airmen form the basis for her new book “Flying in the Face of Fear: A Fighter Pilot’s Lessons on Leading With Courage.” There are many great takeaways in the book including the phrase “Aviate, Communicate, Navigate.” In critical situations it is important to address the most important issue first – like keeping your A-10 in the air (Aviate). She would be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for that mission. Maintainers counted more than 600 holes in her aircraft. Kim was able to nurse her damaged plane 300 miles back to base, landing without brakes. She described flying an A-10 without hydraulics like driving a dump truck without power steering. In a matter of seconds she was able to analyze the situation and switch to “manual reversion”, a procedure that is difficult even under ideal conditions. While providing close air support for troops in contact, her aircraft was struck by a surface to air missile, knocking out all of the plane’s hydraulics.Įjecting over Baghdad was not a preferred option. Some came in a “crucible moment” over Baghdad on April 7, 2003.

A-10 fighter pilot Kim Campbell picked up many leadership lessons over the course of a 24 year Air Force career.

Flying in the Face of Fear by Kim &quot;KC&quot; Campbell

Flying in the Face of Fear by Kim "KC" Campbell