Lauren Paine article in SA

[HackerF15E]

Interestingly enough, unless you actively cultivate a relationship where someone is comfortable both giving and receiving professional critiques/criticisms, it won't happen naturally.

It generally starts with what Dan said, "hey if you see anything you don't like, speak up", but there has to be a follow up where everyone understands that such statements (even critiques and criticisms) aren't personal.

It takes effort to establish that atmosphere and maintain it.

[Canadian_JOY]

I have been invited to act as a safety pilot for a pilot wishing to do some IFR practice in his RV. Following the flight, we did a good verbal de-brief where I leveled some criticisms on airmanship items, as well as observations on some of the instrument procedures. The conversation was positive, and it started with, "Would you mind if I provide some feedback?" I think we both valued the learning opportunity. As a result of keeping it positive, I have subsequently been invited to do the same thing again.

"Check the ego at the door," is a policy I was taught, way back when, as a means of being open to learning and improving safety. While I still really struggle to follow that advice, it is tremendously rewarding to do so and reap the subsequent benefits.

[Jerry Fischer]

Today I took my latest BFR and was not on my most proficient game. Not sloppy but room for improvement. Those who fly a lot, would be well to remember the other pilot you are in proximity of may or may not be on the same page you are. Neither case is good or bad, just different. As a safer pilot I NEVER assume another pilot will do as I expect unless we worked it out beforehand. Case in point, during my flight today, I encountered a student at another airport who was soloing for the first time. I stayed the **** out of his way, (he was already probly nervous enough without my "Help") It worked out well & I was able to offer congratulations after he landed, pretty cool. Fly safe , my friends...

[gereed75]

I have read this thread with some consideration. The general conduct of the RV community and the culture it breeds, specifically in regards to safety, has always been of interest to me. I have been on all sides of this debate - as a "professional" pilot (Navy), as a devil may care ace of the air probably at times viewed as inconsiderate and maybe dangerous, as an instructor tutoring pilot wannabe's, as a more prudent old guy flyer, as a pilot that has done decidely stupid things and lived, and even a few times having been put in danger by actions of other pilots. I thought I should be able to lend some constructive insight and knowledge into the discussion. But it is a very complex issue that goes deep to the core of what it is to be human and be a pilot, very complex stuff indeed.

One of the things that I often go back to, is the realization that a large part of what constitutes a profession, is that professionals set standards for their conduct, and then most importantly, self police their ranks in reference to those standards. In the military or other professions, this policing mechanism is intrinsic and built in. Part of a guy's responsibilities who is more senior to you is to keep you in line when you need it. Very tough to do in the general population of un-ranked RV pilots (or other similarly free form social communities). It is hard to do, but the type of culture that we promote can have some effect in enforcing standards of conduct. This a culture that does not applaud or celebrate or encourage un-safe practices. Like Doug not allowing the posts of videos displaying un-safe flights.

In those occasions where I was subject to danger by the flying practices of others, I have tried to diplomatically address the issues personally with those involved. In pretty much every case those interactions have been constructive and well recieved. What is the worst that can happen - you can be ignored, maybe ridiculed or derided. But that does'nt hurt anybody. In this hobby though, ignoring the issues can hurt - you, or them or their passenger or wing men.

I don't like nannies or crusaders, but I do appreciate good advice considerately delivered. Our community could always stand to be more professional, the price for not trying is too high.

[StuBob]

There is a segment of the RV community that may be described as Top Gun Wannabees. Fairly or not, the pilot population at large is annoyed by them. When an RV announces he is "four out for the break," most pilots only know that somebody is about to come banging into the pattern in a way they can't anticipate. The same is true of any number of high-performance airplanes, but the faux military vibe given off by some RV'ers is particularly off-putting.

And this is an argument in favor of some sort of Van's Owners' and Pilots' Association, complete with standardized training.

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

Final note as a person who strings words together for a living. Give authors the benefit of the doubt about their intentions. This is especially true if you have any familiarity with them and there's no reason we shouldn't know Lauran Paine.

He's got your best interests at heart and he's a a good guy.

If you do want to learn more about him, here's two segments I did with him.

http://flyin.airventure.org/radio/cl...paine-jr-1.mp3
http://flyin.airventure.org/radio/cl...paine-jr-2.mp3

You also have to understand Lauran's writing style which is to make his points through "people." Every article he writes focuses on an individual that he'll name and tell you about. But it's not necessarily a story about that person per se. It's just his style. His articles are -- as someone once said "peopley". So the fact he made mention of one person with one complaint shouldn't be overthought. That's just his style to get into a topic. He wasn't singling anybody -- or any airplane model -- out.

By the way, you won't regret spending the 15 minutes on each one of those segments. And it ain't because of me. You can get a large measure of the man . I'm a lucky man to have spent some time with him. I'm a lucky man once a month to read him.

So are you.

[jdmunzell]

I've always thought of Lauren Paine as this generation's Gordon Baxter who used to write "Bax Seat" for Flying magazine. Very unassuming, "everyman's aviator" type of person! I, like many folks, have met most of the really famous guys like Bob Hoover, Chuck Yeager, and the like, but one of the highlights for me was meeting Bax way back when. Just your average everyday kind of guy, who was as genuinely nice in person as he was on paper! The sort of individual who valued his encounter with you as much as you valued your encounter with him.

I believe Lauren Paine to be same type of regular guy who is smack dab in the middle of the RV community, as well as others as well. I understand his angst when hearing or seeing stories of immature bravado because someone has some kind of hotshot airplane, and flies it with such inconsideration to others! This is not limited to RVs either!

Of all the people out there qualified to levy some well place criticism amonsgt the RV community, Lauren Paine is the one who is! As a fellow RVer, I'm sure he takes particular issue in being lumped together with the rest of us as reckless, just because we're RVers!

I believe that the far vast majority of pilots in the RV community are considerate, safety conscious, genuinely nice folks, who strive to share their passion in a positive way with others. ....and especially the non-flying community!

I think it should be incumbent on us all to represent our community in a positive light at all times. Be it through proper radio and traffic pattern etiquette, or simply a friendly and warm presence on transient ramps wherever we go, we can go a long ways to improving the RV image.

Plus, just being nice is easy!!

[Infidel]

Originally Posted by jdmunzell

I've always thought of Lauren Paine as this generation's Gordon Baxter who used to write "Bax Seat" for Flying magazine. Very unassuming, "everyman's aviator" type of person! I, like many folks, have met most of the really famous guys like Bob Hoover, Chuck Yeager, and the like, but one of the highlights for me was meeting Bax way back when. Just your average everyday kind of guy, who was as genuinely nice in person as he was on paper! The sort of individual who valued his encounter with you as much as you valued your encounter with him.

I believe Lauren Paine to be same type of regular guy who is smack dab in the middle of the RV community, as well as others as well. I understand his angst when hearing or seeing stories of immature bravado because someone has some kind of hotshot airplane, and flies it with such inconsideration to others! This is not limited to RVs either!

Of all the people out there qualified to levy some well place criticism amonsgt the RV community, Lauren Paine is the one who is! As a fellow RVer, I'm sure he takes particular issue in being lumped together with the rest of us as reckless, just because we're RVers!

I believe that the far vast majority of pilots in the RV community are considerate, safety conscious, genuinely nice folks, who strive to share their passion in a positive way with others. ....and especially the non-flying community!

I think it should be incumbent on us all to represent our community in a positive light at all times. Be it through proper radio and traffic pattern etiquette, or simply a friendly and warm presence on transient ramps wherever we go, we can go a long ways to improving the RV image.

Plus, just being nice is easy!!

Anytime the writers name is withheld, I question the validity of the "letter." What I took from the letter is someone has The Slow Airplane Syndrome.
Lauren could've achieved the same goal with his article w/o the non-validated bogus letter generalizing RV's and their pilots. Just my two cents.

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

Anytime the writers name is withheld, I question the validity of the "letter."

Well, your name is withheld. But accusing a right of falsifying content is a terrible allegation to make.

And you guys know Lauran is reading this thread, right? Show some respect to a gentleman who's more than earned it.

[ExtraKatana]

He did hear the story.
However I can remember my Grandfather scolding me when I was 8 yrs of age because I made a bold statement about out-of-state drivers. He made sure I understood before I left Elementary School that bold statements that targeted a "group" should not be spoken. Therefore in my thinking, any adult to say "They're all like that" greatly reduces the validity of a statement. As the sharks would say, For that reason I'm out.