hydroguy2
Well Known Member
I've always thought of myself as a reasonably responsible pilot. But the recent "Hater" post and AOPA fiasco has made me examine my own flying a little closer. Maybe I'm not as safe and responsible as I could or should be.
Case in point, Saturday I went to a airport dedication/breakfast fly-in. I arrived right behind 2 other planes. I was on the 45 while they made a low pass to check the wind and runway condition. I saw the spacing wasn't right, so chose to do a 360 about 2 miles off the approach end and announced it. As I rolled out of the 360, the DA-20 turned inside of me, which was fine. The #2 was midfield downwind, made a call and told me to go ahead behind the Diamond while he extended. All fair, so far so good we're all talking and have visual of each other. I made one of my best landings ever in front of a crowd(that's right witnesses) and was feeling pretty good.
After a hour or so, I needed to leave to get back for work. It was a small gathering of maybe 20 planes mostly Cessna, cubs, etc. Clearly Aurora and Kurt's RV-6a were the speedy ones on the ramp at 9S4. I was asked to do a low pass for the crowd. Sure! I was feeling fat dumb and happy, why not? 9S4 is in a canyon so pattern is tight. After my runup, I announced my intentions to take off on RY12, make a teardrop back for a lowpass RY30. Made my call as I turned back for a final RY30 low pass. I was a little fast as I crossed the fence and higher than I had planned, but announced a climbing right turn into the canyon to the north. they had a good show and radio'd thanks for coming. I kept climbing and headed home, fat dumb and happy.
Other than thinking about smacking a bird, or possibly NORDO coming in from the north. I did NOT think anything I did was irresponsible or improper. Now I'm not so sure.
1. Loitering at the approach end.
2. non conventional take-off teardrop back to final
3. low pass for a crowd
4. climbing right turnout into a canyon with potential incoming traffic.
Yep I learned something about myself the last couple days. I need to evaluate my decision skills. I need Think before not after. I need to consider others.
Case in point, Saturday I went to a airport dedication/breakfast fly-in. I arrived right behind 2 other planes. I was on the 45 while they made a low pass to check the wind and runway condition. I saw the spacing wasn't right, so chose to do a 360 about 2 miles off the approach end and announced it. As I rolled out of the 360, the DA-20 turned inside of me, which was fine. The #2 was midfield downwind, made a call and told me to go ahead behind the Diamond while he extended. All fair, so far so good we're all talking and have visual of each other. I made one of my best landings ever in front of a crowd(that's right witnesses) and was feeling pretty good.
After a hour or so, I needed to leave to get back for work. It was a small gathering of maybe 20 planes mostly Cessna, cubs, etc. Clearly Aurora and Kurt's RV-6a were the speedy ones on the ramp at 9S4. I was asked to do a low pass for the crowd. Sure! I was feeling fat dumb and happy, why not? 9S4 is in a canyon so pattern is tight. After my runup, I announced my intentions to take off on RY12, make a teardrop back for a lowpass RY30. Made my call as I turned back for a final RY30 low pass. I was a little fast as I crossed the fence and higher than I had planned, but announced a climbing right turn into the canyon to the north. they had a good show and radio'd thanks for coming. I kept climbing and headed home, fat dumb and happy.
Other than thinking about smacking a bird, or possibly NORDO coming in from the north. I did NOT think anything I did was irresponsible or improper. Now I'm not so sure.
1. Loitering at the approach end.
2. non conventional take-off teardrop back to final
3. low pass for a crowd
4. climbing right turnout into a canyon with potential incoming traffic.
Yep I learned something about myself the last couple days. I need to evaluate my decision skills. I need Think before not after. I need to consider others.
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