More on the Stearman flip at DCA

On Jun 10, 5:08*pm, a wrote:
On Jun 10, 1:03*pm, brian whatcott wrote:





Orval Fairbairn wrote:
I got this from a friend:

My sources said that a Washington Post reporter was being carried and
admitted to accidentally pushing the brakes in order to leverage himself
up to see better during the landing. He didn't realize he was pushing
rudders or brakes. It's a good lesson for all of us who routinely carry
non-pilots in tailwheel aircraft to brief them on where not to have
their feet & hands during critical phases of flight.

It looked to me as if they were doing a wheel landing with the brakes
locked. It flipped as soon as the wheels touched the ground.

I wonder if the Washington Post is going to pick up the repair tab?

This is such a plausible cause for the immediate landing upset,
and particularly so *if it's self admitted. Pity about that....

Brian W

There's a more general lesson here, and not just for pax in tail
draggers. We MUST brief our passengers! Not only do they have to be
told what not to grab and touch, but for their own comfort something
like this would be good. "Pretty soon after we take off we're going to
be in clouds. Don't worry about that. I'll be telling you when we are
going to be making turns so it won't be a surprise. It may get bumpy
too, that's to be expected. You'll be hearing us on the radio too, and
don't be surprised if you don't understand what's being said." and so
on.

I don't do it enough, but many first time passengers here a litany
like this from me after "cleared for takeoff".

"OK, we're in line with the runway, and *. . .the throttle is forward

RPMs look good

Engine gauges look good,

We're almost going fast enough to fly

OK, one last look at the engine gauges, they're OK,

I'm pulling back a little bit, and . . .up we go.

Everything looks good, it's time to retract the landing gear

(and this is very important)

"Now I''m going to reduce power a little bit so the engine noise will
change. . ."

I really think saying out loud what you're going to do might make for
safer piloting even if you're flying alone.

What you are describing above is EXACTLY what every good pilot should
be doing on every flight containing passengers. Many pilots don't
realize that what is absolutely normal in the way of sight, sound, and
movement to them, might be absolutely terrifying on the extreme end
and "of concern" on the low end, to a passenger.
I have advocated this to every pilot who has crossed my path during my
career, especially to the instructors I have had in seminars.
The purpose as you have so corrected implied is two fold; first of
course is safety. Second is the well being of the passengers who fly
with you.
ALL pilots are well advised to treat this subject as part and parcel
of their skill set.
Dudley Henriques