Another midair in the pattern

On 1-15-2011 03:06, Andy wrote:


I have quite a bit of time in a Piper J3 and also in an Aeronca 11BC.
Neither had an electrical system but both had radios. The fact that
there is no electrical system is not a reason not to have a radio in a
powered aircraft any more than it is in a glider.

I'm not saying carrying and using a radio should be mandatory, just
that not having an electrical system is no reason not to.

A local glider FBO has no radios in its tow planes. Just one of the
reasons I don't fly there any more.

Andy


When I had my Aeronca 11CC with no radio, a guy in a low wing Piper
tried to mid air me twice while in the pattern, with me observing him
while making my evasive manuevers. After finally getting on the ground
and walking up to him as he was fueling up, I asked if he ever SAW me.
His first answer was, "Weren't you on the radio?" At this point I
explained that not all planes have elctrical systems and/or radios.
Then I asked him while on short final, he decided to turn at me as I had
just started my base leg. His answer was that at an uncontrolled
airport, all turns were to be made to the left when going around. I
asked him if it might have been better to proceed straight ahead and
climb and re-enter on the crosswind leg. He said, ya that probably
would have been better.

My point is, having a radio CAN be a crutch and then assuming nobody is
around if you don't hear somebody answer your call. LOOK OUT THE
WINDOW. I'm not saying we must fly without radios, but don't assume
you're the only one in the sky on any given day just because you don't
hear me on the radio. I do have a handheld in my current (electric-less
airplane) Corben, but I still rely on visually identifying targets.
Radio is just a back-up to me...

When I had my Aeronca 11CC with no radio, a guy in a low wing Piper
tried to mid air me twice while in the pattern, with me observing him
while making my evasive manuevers.

Scott,
The encounter you had with the Piper driver is the poster child for
midair collisions in the pattern, high wing Aeronca can't see well
above and low wing Piper can't see well
below...............................Did the thought occur to you after
your discussion with the guy who didn't see you that your life might
just be worth investing in a $200 hand held radio?
JJ

On 1-16-2011 14:57, JJ Sinclair wrote:

When I had my Aeronca 11CC with no radio, a guy in a low wing Piper
tried to mid air me twice while in the pattern, with me observing him
while making my evasive manuevers.

Scott,
The encounter you had with the Piper driver is the poster child for
midair collisions in the pattern, high wing Aeronca can't see well
above and low wing Piper can't see well
below...............................Did the thought occur to you after
your discussion with the guy who didn't see you that your life might
just be worth investing in a $200 hand held radio?
JJ

Already had one. Just didn't work in the Aeronca as it did not have
shielded ignition harness. Ignition noise imposed on the TX audio made
it non-understanable to others (as tested with ATC in La Crosse)...and
this was not the classic case...I was above him and I could see him fine
and he should have been able to see me just fine, especially when I was
directly in front of him and above with nothing but sky behind me and I
was a traditionally painted Aeronca 11CC...kind of a Cub yellow and
maroon stripe (factory paint colors and scheme).

On 1-16-2011 15:21, Scott wrote:
I was above him and I could see him fine
and he should have been able to see me just fine, especially when I was
directly in front of him and above with nothing but sky behind me and I
was a traditionally painted Aeronca 11CC...kind of a Cub yellow and
maroon stripe (factory paint colors and scheme).

And here is a picture of my old Chief...

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...1t:429,r:0,s:0