Quote:
Originally Posted by Ramy
On Aug 22, 5:33*pm, Greg Arnold wrote:
On 8/22/2011 5:18 PM, BobW wrote:
Here's a non-rhetorical question for everyone to ponder.
Since there remains in the soaring world exactly zero functional need to
ever do a low-altitude high speed pass, and, to do so is to
intentionally take a completely avoidable risk, why ever do one?
Of course, there also is zero functional need to fly sailplanes -- those
who do it "take a completely avoidable risk." *So, in the interests of
safely, should we terminate that activity?
I think pilots do low passes for the same reason they fly sailplanes --
it is fun. *It all is a weighing process -- does the fun outweigh the risks?
While you're pondering, back in the early 1980's I went through my
low-altitude, pattern zoomie phase, 100% safely, and got 'startled' only
once. While in that phase, I was actively/uncomfortably aware that I
personally had zero justification for doing one (though I used the
'future contest practice' rationalization). I quit after the
'startlement-included' zoomie, asked myself (yet again) the question
posed at the start of this comment, and concluded it was a grownup form
of 'teenager-istic' showing off. We all know teenagers exhibit the
highest forms of good human judgment, right?
I've shared my (stupid, unjustifiable, indefensible) zoomie rationale.
What others might my fellow glider pilots have used or continue to use?
Curiously,
Bob W.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -
I was going to say the same thing about aerobatics as well. Why do
loops and rolls and spins? Because it is fun! Contests are not the
only reason people do low passes. Just make sure you know what you are
doing and ask yourself if it worth the risk. Perhaps this discussion
will remind some people what the are the risks and next time when they
will consider a low pass they may decide that the fun does not
outweight the risk. This works for me.
Although this discussion is now focused on high speed low pass, it is
not clear that this is what indeed happened in Idaho. As someone else
pointed out it may have been a case of missjudged pattern altitude.
But what I found most disturbing in all the recent fatalities
including this one is that almost all involved where either CFIGs,
examiners, ATP, commerical pilots etc. Very experienced pilots and not
some clueless who did not know what he was doing.
Ramy
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Ramy,
I went thru the aerobatic phase of my life. I learned to fly in power and had the opportunity to get some good instruction in aerobatics from a highly qualified instructor. We were at significant altitude, never below 3000 feet when we started a loop or roll. We were wearing parachutes and discussed the egress procedure. I learned to fly these maneuvers to improve my flying overall. Let's face it, If your level of skill exceeds the minimum requirements you should be safer than average.
Obviously the safest thing would be to sit at home on our hands and do nothing but watch TV. There were two fatalities in air shows in the last few days. A guy spun in and a wing walker trying to transfer from a plane to a helicopter fell to his death. They do those things at least in part for the thrill and people go to watch for the same reasons, at least vicariously.
With all the fatalities in recent weeks I ask the following question. Who among us will discontinue flying as a result? We will continue to fly, the important thing is that we learn from the mistakes of others. Low pass? Not a great idea but I don't think it's going to stop. Does doing one go thru my mind? Yes it does. Will I do one? I don't think so, I'm older, smarter and less prone to the irrational acts of youth. That being said, if an opportunity to fly some acro at altitude comes along, chute on and let's do it.
Walt