I just remembered the line of planes at the Wanaka air show. Parked there were planes from 1910 through to 2008 each with its own style and paintwork. There is the progression from the open cockpit to the totally enclosed cabin, from 2 or 3 wings to the monoplane. Just imagine the huge number of hours taht went into the design, testing, preparation and so on. It is not just a pilot. It is a team of engineers, craftsmen, financiers and so on who all contributed to the final machine.

Those people should all be thanked!