AviationBanter - View Single Post

**Ron Garret** · August 21st 06, 10:30 PM posted to rec.aviation.piloting,rec.aviation.student

In article . com,
wrote:

The journey wasn't entirely without excitement. On my second-ever solo
I was rolling down the runway in a Cessna 150 waiting for rotation
speed - and it never came. By the time I realised the airspeed
indicator was not going to work, I was doing well over rotation speed
and ran out of rudder.
....
Examination off the written-off aircraft confirmed an orchard bee had
climbed into and blocked the pitot, and I was cleared of all blame,
though I'm sure if I'd had more experience, I would have avoided the
crash and simply been able to abort takeoff safely.

Personally I think your instructor was to blame if he didn't tell you to
check the airspeed indicator shortly after commencing the takeoff roll
to make sure it's working. "Airspeed is alive" should always be part of
your takeoff checklist. If you haven't realized that the ASI is dead
until well after reaching rotation speed you're doing something very
wrong.

Also, you should be able to fly a 150 without an ASI simply by feel and
sound (though not necessarily on a second solo).

rg