(Kirk Stant) wrote:
Mary Shafer wrote:

One of our test pilots was killed doing this. Not because he got too
low, but because the covering on the elevators delaminated (starting
at the seam on the leading edge) and he suddenly had no pitch control
at all.

Unlucky. However, as you say, low altitude isn't what caused the
elevator to fail. Unless he was wearing a chute, this would have been
fatal anywhere! Which is one reason I always wear a chute in my
glider.

Sure there is some risk, but my approach it to limit my risk (good
equipment, current skill, careful execution) and avoid risk to others
(no overflying people or planes/buildings/cars etc on the ground
during a pass). I can live with that (or maybe not, who knows - c'est
la vie!)

The TV cameraman laying on his back to film me while I flew over
him was a professional, as am I. Normally, I adhere to Part 91
(e.g: the "500 ft. horizontal and/or vertical distance" thing) when
flying.

Sounds like he was flying a Blanik (which had fabric covered
elevators). Nice plane, but not my choice for a low pass (too
draggy).

I fly the Blanik and other sailplanes but have never witnessed
a "contest finish" (e.g: low pass while dumping H2O on the crowd)
yet.

Several years ago a day before Sun 'N Fun (EAA airshow in
Lakeland, FL) opened their gates to the public I was hanging
out at the airport while all was quiet and suddenly heard a
"swooshing" sound overhead.

I looked up and saw a sleek, V-tailed glider flying inverted no more
than 30-50 ft. off the deck. Then the pilot pushed up executing a
perfect half outside loop, rolled inverted again, deployed the tail
chute and landed on the grass strip.

It was Manfred Radius, the famed Canadian glider pilot and
true Skygod practicing his airshow routine in his H-101 Salto
sailplane.

-Mike Marron