Pink Floyd - "Learning to Fly " (REACTION) Pulse Concert - WRITER REACTS 

This song is literally about learning to fly, David Gilmore and Nick Mason were both learning to fly during the recording of the album and they went on to purchase an aeroplane between them when they got there licences.

This is what they call "talent'! As you described it all being put together, Every piece put in to create the perfect puzzle.

The sound at this concert was phenomenal - like having headphones around a stadium

This song is actually about David Gilmour, (lead vocals, guitar), learning to fly, he was in the process of getting his pilot's license. Nick Mason, Pink Floyd drummer, already had his pilot's license and was helping Gilmour with his. This Pulse concert here at Earls Court in London and one of the last few concerts of Floyds "The Division Bell world tour in 1994. That tour was the most massive, complicated tour to that date in time. The Division Bell tour was something like 110 shows in 68 cities, in 17 countries, from march to October of 1994. The stage you see here for the North American and European segment of the tour, is one of three identical stages that Pink Floyd had built specifically for the tour. That includes not only the stage itself, but all the lighting, lasers, sound system, steel rigs, and everything you see here,... they had three of everything! They had to have three of everything because of the time it took to load-in and load-out at each venue, over 3 days to load in, and 2 and a half days to load out. Because of the time factor, they had these 3 stages leapfrogging all across the North America, assuring them that when they got to the next venue, one of the stages were all set up and ready for the shows. The stages were designed and inspired after the Hollywood Bowl venue, they were 180 feet long and the arch was 130 feet high. In 2010 LiveDesign online said it was the "Top Concert Tour Design Of All Time" An incredible logistic accomplishment! No way they could do this with just one stage,... and keep in mind it not just the stages, as I mentioned earlier, they needed 3 of everything! They had 8 tour buses, 161 crew members, 53 tractor trailer trucks transporting over 700 tons of steel.

Nick Mason was in the recording of him talking to the tower. Tim Redrick on guitar who play with the Floyd with them since Momentary Lapse of Reason. Mark Brinkman who does Floyd's lighting since "The Wall" is the best 1994 amazing

The radio chatter was recorded in Nick Mason's plane.

Welcome to Pink Floyd world

I love the jumping drummer 🥁 Sooo cool

I have loved Pink Floyd since I was 14 I’m now 56 and it’s never gotten old ❤❤❤ 4:08

A shoutout is needed for second lead guitar Tim Renwick, additional percussionist Gary Wallis, backing keyboard Jon Carin...all of whom allow Pink Floyd to recreate their layered and overdubbed studio sound without recorded material. Also props to the choral bunch - Sam Brown, Durga McBroom, and Claudia Fontaine (RIP)....they all put individual careers on hold, just to be a part of this incredible journey. BTW, bassist Guy Pratt (Richard Wright's son-in-law) is amazing at every level

Great performance! From the same Pulse collection, please check out RUN LIKE HELL, and also TIME.

Shine on You Crazy Diamond, parts 1-7. That's my suggestion for your next Pink Floyd tune!

He wrote this when he was literally learning to fly a plane fr ❤

Nick Mason (drummer) is an accomplished pilot in both fixed wing and choppers, Dave Gillmore was frightened of flying and Nick suggested he also learned to fly to get over his fear of flying he did and now Dave can also fly both fixed wing and choppers.

Well it’s settled. YOU are officially my new favorite RU-vidr!! I am enthralled with your vivid, intelligent and inspiring commentary and analyses. Please tell me where you are from originally and do you reside there still OR are you in the USA? BTW, I was hooked when I first found you reacting to Rush, my personal favorite band. RIP Neil🕊️🕊️😇

the actual guitar solo in the live video version (this one) is not played by David Gilmour but by Tim Renwick the second guitarist. the live album version is played by Gilmour . listen and hear (or feel )the diference

My favorite part of this song is when the white lights turn full beam on the audience. What a sight! Very moving in the context of the song. Also, kudos for guitarist Tim Renwick on taking the solos here (he also does a solo on the Pulse version of 'Another Brick in the Wall').

David was taking flying lessons around this time. For most of us, the metaphors are enough. But on face value, the double meaning as you say, is a great additional layer

you absolutely must watch the official video of the studio version

Thankyou I didn’t know the words were actually relevant to actually flying a plane

well done on another great pink floyd reaction,id recommend that you try "MONEY" or "TIME" from the same pulse concert

David Gilmour holds PPL, so I guess this song came out of that. But could be applied to many other life events and or experiences

👍✌️happy Friday

Such a great song 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻 Nick and David were learning to actually fly at the time 👌🏻👌🏻 Try "Time" next. The older you get the more true this song becomes. As I have mentioned before The Pulse version of "Time" is okay. But the guitar solo and even David's voice are slightly lost in the mix. The best version would be the remastered lyric video

Also the ribbon of black, like a distant runway.

🔥

😳 Laser Floyd at Hayden Planetarium in Central Park on Mushrooms..... 😌 I have no idea what they could be referring to.... 😒 That's my story & Im sticking to it! 😂🤣😂🤭😁🍄🥰🐰

David Gilmour was a keen pilot and was 'learning to fly' around the time of this record. He even owned an aviation company that collected older aircraft to fly at air shows.