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

On Jun 10, 5:21*pm, Dudley Henriques wrote:
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

My damned check list keeps getting revised: the newest item is right
at the top "DO THIS ALOUD"

"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.
snip
Dudley Henriques

Couldn't agree more Dudley!
Glad your still here!

When I have a pax that is new to the experience of flying for the
first time I think it's important to make them a part of the flight. I
have always tried to make "their" flight the most enjoyable it can be.
I make all turns gentle, altitude changes smoothly etc. Always let
them know ahead of time what we will be doing.

It starts with the safety briefing before engine start-up as to what
will happen during the flight. Let them know that they can be a big
help just looking outside at the view and for other traffic. That
there will be times that I will ask them to be quite so I can
communicate on the radio. If we have an emergency and have to do an
off field landing don't panic, we are just landing in a different
place than we planned. : )

I get the greatest feeling when after the flight they tell somebody
that "I'm" a great pilot with the biggest smile on their face. Then it's
been a good day! Over the last 30 years of flying I've had several
"newly minted" pilots come to me and say that I played a part in them
wanting to fly. It doesn't get any better than that!

Terry N6401F