The Pilot's Analogy

The best way to describe where we are tonight is by an analogy. I’ve thought that Kay’s condition is something like an aircraft in a steep dive. The pilots are putting all the force that they dare on the controls, hoping to pull the aircraft out of the dive without breaking anything, before it hits the trees. During the last days the pilots have been warning the passengers to brace themselves for collision (head between your knees, kiss your ass goodbye) because their best estimate was that the plane was going in. But by pulling every trick in the book, this evening it seems that the pilots have pulled the aircraft of out the dive.

However, this doesn’t mean the problems are over. The aircraft is now hurtling along at tree top height and has possibly been severely damaged by the huge forces that were applied to its control surfaces. There only needs one oversized tree in the way or a structural failure or even just rising ground for disaster to strike.

But by continuing to apply careful control inputs and looking out for big trees the pilots are hoping to get the nose of the aircraft to rise, very slowly. There's nothing they can do about rising ground, that's just going to be good luck. Unfortunately the aircraft is travelling very, very fast and care has to be taken not to overload the structure while trying to pull the nose up. Equally trees are flashing by on either side very quickly.

So this is not a moment to stop sweating, nor is it a moment for reflection or satisfaction. It’s a moment for looking out for what comes next and trying to return the aircraft to a safe and stable state.

The passengers have had another horrible, nightmarish day, but they are hoping that by willing the pilots on and willing the aircraft to keep flying they can contribute to the recovery. In the meantime they are planning to have a drink and some trolley snacks and try to sleep, without looking out the window at the trees flashing past.