Motivation
Great things happen when Motivation meets Capacity
Oliver Klaas (3 yrs old) (Photo Jason Klaas)
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
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):
Vienna with Mars Jackson (3 yrs old) (Photo Vienna Jackson)
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)
Letter from Vienna Jackson
Oliver Klaas (3 yrs old)
Oliver Klaas (3 yrs old) (Photo Jason Klaas)
Oliver Klaas (3 yrs old) (Photo Jason Klaas)
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”.
Rojan (11 years old)
Thank you Rojan, a year 6 student at Penshurst Public School for this excellent drawing.
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!
Thomas Sozou (16 years old)
“.. this book has inspired me more to pursue this dream than anything else has ..”
Dear Richard, From the moment I saw your interview on The Project and when they advertised your book, I don’t think I have ever been so intent on getting a book before. 5 minutes ago I finished reading your book. I went straight onto this website so that I can just say thank you so much for writing this book!
As a 16 year old wanting to be a pilot this book has inspired me more to pursue this dream than anything else has and I have you to thank. So once again, thanks for the awesome read!
Sam Clancy (16 years old)
“.. I felt like I was in a jump-seat, sitting behind you as shit hit the fan.”
Richard, I know you are a busy man, but I hope you can take the time out of your day to read what I have to say.
Two years ago, I made a decision I wanted to be a pilot. Now as I’m only 16 now, you’d probably just say “pfft, who cares, teenagers change their minds all the time…” Well, I can honestly say after receiving the book as an early Christmas present from my grandparents on Sunday, my decision has been completely and utterly reaffirmed. I’ve read it during absolutely all of my spare time, in and around working 36 hours in the past four days at Redcliffe Aerodrome (YRED) (I have scored a paid position at an aircraft maintenance company for the school holidays)
Your words are inspiring. Not just in terms of your aviation knowledge but also of your ability to be so easy to relate too. The whole time I was reading, I felt like I was in a jump-seat sitting behind you as shit hit the fan. If I ever get the opportunity to meet you, I honestly would probably just break into tears, you shouldn’t be seen as an inspiration just to people related to the incident, or people in or interested in the aviation industry, but to the wider community. The way you kept a cool head in such an intensely stressful situation is beyond comprehension to me. I just hope that if in the future, I face a situation similar to the one that was bestowed on QF32, I act and react just as you did.
I’ve never been a big fan of Qantas (but that’s sort of come from my family…) yet I hope my views change when I fly with them mid-next year, whether or not you are at the controls.
I wish you clear skies and smooth landings, Captain. Cheers, Sam.
Tim Hitchins (16 years old)
“.. your book was inspiring and made me want to follow that dream even more. I’ve decided to put more effort into my school work to get me the extra mile, and I wanted you to know that your story is the reason.”
Hi Richard, I’ve just finished year 10, I’m sixteen and I began my flight training earlier this year after it being a dream since before I can remember. I also joined the Australian Air Force Cadets when I was twelve, and that really gave a boost to my hopes for becoming an aviator. I fly an Aeroprakt A22LS Foxbat with the Hastings District Flying Club in Port Macquarie after winning a scholarship for partial funding of my training.
I was on a school excursion a couple of months ago to Canberra and picked up a copy of QF32 in Parliament House and bought it on the spot. I couldn’t put it down for three days after until I finished, in between all our activities. I am now almost finished re-reading it for the second time!
It’s always been my dream to fly A380’s for QANTAS ever since the announcement of their production, and your book was inspiring and made me want to follow that dream even more. I’ve decided to put more effort into my school work to get me the extra mile, and I wanted you to know that your story is the reason.
I would love to know when I can get a copy of “Big Jets” to shed more light on my chosen career path and the machines that make our world go ’round.
I look forward to a reply from you and definitely hope once I finally step onto an A380 (hopefully next year because I still haven’t been on one!!), that you will be our Pilot-In-Command.
Joseph Zabaneh (18 years old)
” I am even more motivated ..”
Thank you for writing the greatest book i have ever read. As i always wanted to become an airline pilot and after reading QF32 I am even more motivated. Hopefully i will see you around the airport and meet you in person.
Rob (19 years old)
“.. Although I have only started reading regularly within the last 6 months, ‘QF32′ was by far the best book that I have ever read ..”
Dear Richard.
As an aviation enthusiast, it was a great receiving your book for Christmas. Although I have only started reading regularly within the last 6 months, ‘QF32′ was by far the best book that I have ever read. It was a great insight into what goes on in the skies, and is a brilliant example of teamwork in an environment under a great deal of pressure.
As I mentioned, I’m a keen aviation enthusiast, and having read your book, I have absolutely no doubts that the A380 is the greatest and safest plane in the sky. I do quite a bit of international travelling, and always try to get on the A380. I know that if I hear your voice over the intercom at the beginning of the flight we’ll be in safe hands.
Many thanks and happy flying, Rob
Marc Loertscher (~20 years old)
“.. your story really captivated me and has further inspired me on my journey to becoming ..”
Dear Captain Champion de Crespigny, If you can recall, you presented a presentation last year at Griffith University Nathan Campus and I was one of the attending students that night. After your presentation I was absolutely blown away by the momentousness of the situation itself and the high level of professionalism and skill you displayed, although you constantly highly attribute the successful outcome of the flight upon both the flight crew and cabin crew.
As an aspiring pilot to-be your story really captivated me and has further inspired me on my journey to becoming an airline pilot. My personal hunger for knowledge about aircraft, the flight environment, the human body and other associated factors has developed extensively and along with my level of discipline.
I would also like to commend you on your book, it is a fabulous text and wonderful read to both aviation and non-aviation folk. Although I am very early along my journey to becoming a pilot, your transcripts from within your book have also helped given me the confidence, determination and a sense of achievability in pursuing a career within one of the most advanced, complex and controlled industries in the world.
I look forward to your next book, which I will definitely be purchasing and applying to my life!
And lastly, I would just like to thank you for the contribution you make to our aviation community and level of professionalism you so astoundingly displayed upon QF32. Your care and concern for the passengers when within the boarding lounges after the flight, from answering all their question to giving your own personal phone number was incredible; truly their are some things that not all flight schools, checks, simulations or lectures can you teach you to being the best pilot one can be. [edited out] …
P.S. My friends couldn’t believe your ‘fly the nipple’ technique, they had to read it themselves before they believed me! It was comforting to know that the [edited out] disciplined military pilots have a great sense of humour too!
David Montuori (23 years old)
“.. I particularly agree with your belief that once an interest has been found, we must tap into this to find the drive to excel”
I am a 23 year old pilot who has been following the results of QF32 for some time now. I recently started reading your book and I felt compelled to tell you just how much I have enjoyed reading it. It is not all that often that I complete a book with such hunger and curiosity.
Your dedication and passion for your craft is very admirable. I sometimes get disheartened by the lack of pride and professionalism that I find apparent in too many of my peers in this industry. Reading your book, particularly the first third has really given me comfort knowing there are others like yourself who have a passion for this privilege we have. I particularly agree with your belief that once an interest has been found, we must tap into this to find the drive to excel.
Once again thank you for putting your life and experiences into words as this has given the next generation a bar to aim for in excellence, dedication and professionalism.
Michael N
“.. inspired me to push myself further and pursue my goals ..”
Richard’s book is truly unique, it has inspired me to push myself further and pursue my goals,and it makes me believe i can become a pilot. Thank you, Richard.
Zac Clarke
Hi Richard. What an amazing book! I honestly don’t read books at all unless I have too, but this book was one that I actually desperately wanted to read. Your tale is an amazing one, and your background is spectacular. I am looking forward to finishing QF32 and have registered for your next book.
Sean Griffin (23 years old)
“Thank you for opening my mind to paths unknown and seeing that a passion can lead to greater things.”
Just reading more of your book and I am amazed at what had to transpire for you to get into the RAAF and to excel and to achieve your dream.
Reading your book has given me a sense of get up and go and to excel in my studies at TAFE. I know what I can do now, so now it’s time to put my knowledge and skills to work.
It’s one thing to say your going to do something but it’s another to put it into action, that what I’ve learnt from the first half of your book. Plus to have a passion and drive to do something good ….
Thank you for opening my mind to paths unknown and seeing that a passion can lead to greater things.
Jordan Smith
“.. inspired me to chase my dream ..”
Thank You for your interesting and enthralling read! As someone who has been proudly flying QF since I was 8 weeks old, I am sincerely indebted to the incredible crews such as yourself who inspired me to chase my dream to be involved in Civil Aviation.
