Welcome to Jim’s Famous Live Cowards Club
If you are in love with flying and airplanes, you’ve found your home.
Forty years ago, while working as a career flight instructor, I realized something that saved my life: a hell of a lot of aircraft accidents are caused by pilots being too “brave”. I decided right then to become a coward.
I learned to be a coward about fuel reserves, flying in crap weather, and skimping on preflight inspections. I founded the Live Cowards Club (LCC) as an informal badge of honor for pilots who are sensible enough—and brave enough—to say NO when it matters most.
Being a member of this club has worked well for me for over 15,000 hours, and it can work for you, too.
Who is Jim Davis?
I’m a flight safety nut living in Hoekwil, South Africa, with my cat, Themba. My “cowardice” isn’t based on fear—it’s based on a deep addiction to safety and real-world experience:
15,000 Hours: Total time hand-flying aircraft.
130+ Types: Experience in everything from civil trainers to military aircraft.
12+ Engine Failures: I’ve had over a dozen genuine failures without ever scratching an aircraft.
World-Class Writing: I’ve written over 1,000 articles for Air Facts, SA Flyer, Australian Flying, and more.
“I showed [Jim’s] book to my non-flying wife, and have been unable to regain possession since.” — Bob Grimstead, 747 Captain and aviation writer.
What You Get Every Second Tuesday
Every two weeks, you will receive a new article directly in your inbox. These are “fun-first” stories packed with a dry sense of humor and life-saving safety backgrounds.
Each article takes about three to ten minutes to read. Here is a glimpse of what we cover:
Emergency Handling - Managing engine failures, control failures, and “grumpy” mechanics.
Technical Skills - Mastering carb icing, magneto dead-cuts, and night flying dangers.
Advanced Piloting - Converting to taildraggers, multi-engine aircraft, and basic aerobatics.
Check-Ride Prep - How to pass flight tests first time and get the most from your instructor.
Traditional Flying - Navigating without a “magenta line” and becoming a top-tier instrument pilot.
Join the Club (It’s Free!)
