--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I gained in experience with every plane…" description: "\"I gained in experience with every plane shot down, and now was able to fire in a calm, deliberate manner. Each attack was made in a precise manner. Dis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/john-trevor-godfrey-102736_able_i-gained-in-experience-with-every-plane_2807403.png" --- # I gained in experience with every plane shot down, and now… ![“I gained in experience with every plane shot down, and now was able to fire in a calm, deliberate manner. Each attack was made in a precise manner. Distance and deflection were carefully judged before firing. This is not something that comes by accident; only by experience can a pilot overcome…” quote by John Trevor Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/john-trevor-godfrey-102736_able_i-gained-in-experience-with-every-plane_2807403.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/john-trevor-godfrey-102736_able_i-gained-in-experience-with-every-plane_2807403.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/322/john-trevor-godfrey-102736_able_i-gained-in-experience-with-every-plane_2807403.png) > “I gained in experience with every plane shot down, and now was able to fire in a calm, deliberate manner. Each attack was made in a precise manner. Distance and deflection were carefully judged before firing. This is not something that comes by accident; only by experience can a pilot overcome feelings of panic. A thousand missions could be flown and be of no use if the pilot has not exchanged fire with the enemy.” [John Trevor Godfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-trevor-godfrey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Experience in combat teaches precise, calm, and deliberate action, reducing panic and improving effectiveness. **In simple terms:** Combat experience fosters calm, precise action. Key Takeaway Train deliberately to act calmly under pressure. Themes experience combat calmness precision skill Mood focused determined Type instructional military When to use this quote - pilot training - stress management - mission planning Key Concepts military training psychology of stress Questions to Reflect On - What drills improve calm under fire? - How does experience shape decision-making? A Different Perspective Experience alone cannot replace skill. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Accidents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accidents/) [Aviation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aviation/) [Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) [Calm Deliberate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm-deliberate-3495230/) [Combat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combat/) [Deflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deflection/) [Deliberate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deliberate/) [Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) [Down and](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/down-and/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Experience Pilot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experience-pilot-3082886/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Firing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firing/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Judged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judged/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Missions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions/) [Missions Flown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/missions-flown-3495229/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Panic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/panic/) [Pilot Exchanged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pilot-exchanged-3495228/) [Pilot Overcome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pilot-overcome-3495227/) [Pilots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pilots/) [Plane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane/) [Planes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/planes/) [Precise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precise/) [Shots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shots/) [Thousand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) ## Related quotes > [I have a list of things I want to experience and being a pilot was right on top of that list.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kunal-kapoor/i-have-a-list-of-things-i-want-to-experience-and-being-a-pilot-was/) [Kunal Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kunal-kapoor/) > [I'm straight, but the character was too important to me to muddle his world with my private life. 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