"PJ Hunt" wrote in message
...
Hey Peter,

Although I don't condone it, I also don't agree that a properly
performed
'buzz job' must end with a crash into a house, or even that it is
necessarily only performed by idiot pilots.

A few of the best pilots I've ever known have done plenty of these
stunts
and more and have thousands more hours of both Mark and I combined,
and they
are by no means idiots.

Just my own personal observations.

PJ

Well...I'll tell ya;

I personally own what can arguably be considered the most widely
publicized "buzz job" in aviation history, so naturally I have some
comment on this issue. :-)
My little departure from the straight and narrow was a long time ago. I
felt at the time it was justified because it involved deep personal
reasons for doing it. I was wrong. It wasn't justified. I should note
here as well that this was a unique event involving extremely personal
factors. I didn't make it a habit of this kind of flying.
But looking back today on this single event, I would have to say that
all things being equal, finding myself in the same circumstances again,
and at the same time in my life that this event occurred, I would do it
again because of the unique events involved; but notice I said "at that
time in my life".
Today, I wouldn't do it. Although the circumstances led me to do this at
that time, I wouldn't do it today, nor would I encourage anyone else to
engage in unauthorized low flying, no matter what the reason.
I did it.....I'm glad I did it for the reasons I had for doing it. (Get
Reader's Digest April 1985 "A Little Help From A Friend" by Dudley
Henriques for the reasons I had for doing it) but all things
considered, it wasn't a smart move.
It's ironic that after this event, I went on to become fairly well known
as a demonstration pilot flying "authorized" low altitude aerobatics and
have been deeply involved in airshow flight safety issues all through my
professional tenure in aviation.
Buzzing can kill you, make no mistake about it. There is no reason,
personal or other wise that justifies doing it.
If there was one positive thing I took away from my little "buzz job",
it was using it later on as a negative example for the pilots I lectured
on flight safety who came after me :-)
Just for what it's worth......
Dudley Henriques
International Fighter Pilots Fellowship
for email; take out the trash