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Quote by Eddie Rickenbacker

“The experienced fighting pilot does not take unnecessary risks. His business in to shoot down enemy planes, not to get shot down. His trained hand and eye and judgment are as much a part of his armament as his machinegun, and a fiftyfifty chance is the worst he will take or should take except where the show is of the kind that . . . justifies the sacrifice of plane or pilot.”

Author

Eddie Rickenbacker

Eddie Rickenbacker was an American race car driver and World War I fighter pilot, renowned for his record-breaking speed runs and his heroic service during the war. He began his racing career in the 1910s and quickly became one of the most successful drivers of his era, earning the moniker 'The Flying Ace'. As a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Service during World War I, Rickenbacker flew over 50 missions and shot down 26 enemy aircraft, earning him numerous honors. Post-war, Rickenbacker ventured into various business endeavors, including aviation and racing, and became a prominent author and public speaker, sharing his wartime experiences and insights. more

“The first rule of all air combat is to see the opponent first. Like the hunter who stalks his prey and maneuvers himself unnoticed into the most favourable position for the kill, the fighter in the opening of a dogfight must detect the opponent as early as possible in order to attain a superior position for the attack.”

Firsts Order Air Position Superiors Opening Fighter Opponents Aviation Combat Hunters Prey Stalking Unnoticed

Book:The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

Source: The first and the last: the rise and fall of the German fighter forces, 1938-1945

“The British were sporting. They would accept a fight under almost all conditions.”

Fighting Accepting Conditions British Aviation Combat

Author:Gunther Rall

“Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the change in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur.”

War Character Waiting Change Victory Smile Aviation Combat Adaptation Making Changes Anticipate Theorists Those Who Wait

Book:Command Of The Air

Source: Command Of The Air

“There was only one catch and that was Catch22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask, and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to.”