Aviation Courtesy / Dumb Stunts

[DeltaRomeo]

...by Richard VanGrunsven and Vic Syracuse

http://www.vansairforce.net/articles...n_courtesy.pdf

v/r,
dr

[flightlogic]

One of the things I take seriously is the builder of my RV9A.
He is a fine gentleman... older than me and quite a skilled carpenter.
His name will forever be on the data tag on my tail.
He may not know it... but I will always strive not to sully his memories of building the 9. I fly it like a good neighbor. I am nervous about being sued, so I don't do rides or Young Eagles. I know I probably should.
I will not knowingly be an idiot and fly in such a manner that I end up a news byline.
I hope the article that Dick and Vic wrote hits print sooner than later. It has value in more ways than one. Not just to counter the bad RV rap we have all seen. Thanks gentlemen for drafting excellent thoughts.

[JimWoo50]

Should be required reading for all pilots.

[jjconstant]

One way to deal with big egos is to appeal to their sense of superiority. A friend at Livermore used to fly a lot of formation in Texas. They used to have one guy who always did a roll on takeoff. One day that guy was lead with an inexperienced wingman who followed lead's example and died inverted on takeoff. My friend was appalled at the lead and later moved away. He always makes sure to tell folks who do that sort of stuff something along the lines of: "People who aren't as good as you are watching you. That may be why you are doing it. Sure, you may be a hot stick, but think about the student who is copying what you do. He's modeling his behaviour on you because he knows you're a better pilot than he is. You are having a big influence on his choices. If he augers in, part of it will be on you for setting a lousy example".

[SmackSB4]

Excellent read. I loved when Van mentioned that most of us go through being a bit of a show boat and even he did it many moons ago, though he knows it isn't right. Hey, let's be honest, we've all done silly things in planes before. I don't do them anymore because, well, I'm a selfish jerk who likes living.

Just wish it was easier to shake the bad apples before it becomes too late.

[rv7boy]

Doug, I saw this on Van's Facebook today and was hoping you'd share it on your site. Good job! Thanks!!

[Jerry Fischer]

Excellent reminders to fly safer so you can fly again...we have all seen bold pilots but very few old, bold pilots.

[TJCF16]

I worked fo a small commuter airline in the mid eighties (Britt Airways) I was a young mechanic. We had a Metroliner broke down and I went to fix it. A young captain went with us to ferry the plane to home base. It had a flap problem and they were stuck down. I fixed the plane and we flew it back. I was in the right seat and The captain was very serious and focused. I said to him. "Bob you sure fly this plane like we won't make it (jokingly). He said "Tim you want to be a pilot someday ?) I said "Yes". He said "remember this and it will serve you well, enjoy your flying every time you fly but fly the airplane like it is trying to kill you and you won't let it). I kind of laughed and said ok. It always stuck in my mind. Right, wrong or indifferent that is how I fly, I guess that is why I bought an RV9 and not a F1 Rocket. I spent 26 years in the Air Force. I have flown in the F-4 F-16 mach1 plus, inverted,high g etc. I can tell you It was a blast. I have many fighter pilot friends and they want to do loops rolls etc. I think that is great, after all they are the best trained of all. But, I have never been trained to do aerobatics and I realize that. I see RV's doing formation flying etc and I personally don't care for it. I think it shows (look what You can do if you build an RV airplane). IMHO Aerobatics by ametures should be done out away from airports and where they are least likely to hurt someone if a failure occurs. To me out of sight out of mind! Just my 2 cents.

[terrykohler]

Look in the mirror. We've all done it. We watch another pilot do something incredibly stupid or ultra risky and we say "someone needs to talk to him", or worse yet, we sit around the airport table and agree that "some day, he's going to be on the evening news" or he's going to take someone down with him". Maybe we talk to him, but more likely not. Everyone on this airport knows me, and I don't want to develop a reputation as a pri**. So I let it slide. God forbid I get a reputation as a "no fun" pilot or instructor.
I agree with Van and Vic; we need to act - but talking is not acting. We've been sitting passively waiting for Darwin to cull the herd, and the result is higher insurance rates, a growing hatred of RV pilots, and more bloodshed. Perhaps a bit more direct approach is called for. Something like, "hey Bob, that snap roll on takeoff was really impressive, but please don't do that here again". "I won't insult you by trying to explain why you shouldn't, but if it happens again, I'm contacting the local FSDO office". If he does it again, hammer him - perhaps you'll save the life of a student or low time pilot itching to try the same move.
There's enough risk in flying without adding rule busting (or common sense busting) antics. Many of the FARs are written in blood. If we already know someone who's contributed their own, when do we take meaningful action?
Terry CFI
R9A N323TP

[Toobuilder]

One problem with a mass appeal to "peer pressure" is the simple fact that we all perceive risk differently. What is utter insanity to one pilot is just another day at the office for another. And let's not forget that just the act of strapping into an "experimental" airplane is viewed as borderline insanity for some people - no mater how professionally they are flown. Are we going to yield to "peer pressure" from that group and park our airplanes for good? No, of course not. So where do we draw the line? FAR violations? Sure, there are some blatant examples that are easy to spot, but let's face it, the FAR's are draconian at best. Are we going to become a culture of people recording bank or climb angles in the pattern on our phones?

The underlying message is valid, but let's think this through before we grab the pitchforks and torches.