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And, if I was a beginner VRF pilot there's no way I would put my family or anyone else at risk as I accumulate hours - other people are not your crash test dummies.
Respect is earned, you don't get that from needlessly dying. But compassion I have aplenty, which was my feeling when I first saw this article, followed by, not again, another low-hours rich guy smoking his family.Five people died; show some respect.
I'm not a pilot, so I have no expert opinion other than to hope that anyone who puts their family at risk as they peruse any aspiration of flying, operates within their abilities and skills. I assume you're solid.I don't understand this. Are VFR pilots inherently unsafe? I'm a VFR pilot. My family and friends are certainly not test dummies, and I can assure you they are not in danger when flying with me.
Respect is earned, you don't get that from needlessly dying. But compassion I have aplenty, which was my feeling when I first saw this article, followed by, not again, another low-hours rich guy smoking his family.
I'm not a pilot, so I have no expert opinion other than to hope that anyone who puts their family at risk as they peruse any aspiration of flying, operates within their abilities and skills. I assume you're solid.
Consideration, it seems, comes from good parenting.Respect is earned, you don't get that from needlessly dying.
Respect is earned, you don't get that from needlessly dying. But compassion I have aplenty, which was my feeling when I first saw this article, followed by, not again, another low-hours rich guy smoking his family.
I'm not a pilot, so I have no expert opinion other than to hope that anyone who puts their family at risk as they peruse any aspiration of flying, operates within their abilities and skills. I assume you're solid.
Engine failures don't give a shit about your logbook.
If you are not a pilot how can honestly have an informed opinion about something of which you lack knowledge or experience. Too much talk like this on the net already. I intend no disrespect by my comments, just my opinion as a licensed pilotRespect is earned, you don't get that from needlessly dying. But compassion I have aplenty, which was my feeling when I first saw this article, followed by, not again, another low-hours rich guy smoking his family.
I'm not a pilot, so I have no expert opinion other than to hope that anyone who puts their family at risk as they peruse any aspiration of flying, operates within their abilities and skills. I assume you're solid.
I can see this from both sides. But first, I'll state that I'm no aviation expert, nor do I know what actually happened in this latest crash. I just see it as a tragedy.
I recall in about 1986-87, I was training on Ultralights in the London Canada area, and absolutely loved it. I couldn't wait to share the thrill of flying with others. Of course I did the one bad thing that low-timers often do; on two occasions, I took a passenger up with me in the 2 seat RX 550 Spectrum Beaver. One Dutch girl whose name is long since out of my memory, and my sister, both brief hops near the airfield. Don't worry, I remember her name.
There was a semi significant crosswind when I brought my sister and I into land. Since it was just a grass field, I had the option of just pointing it into the wind, and ignoring what everyone else understood to be the actual runway. Basic landing in both cases, without incident.
But was that smart ? No ! Talk about low-timer. I may have had a total of 50 hours on single and 2 seat Beavers. What separates me from the kind of incident report that we're discussing here ? Luck, and maybe the concept of a very brief flight. Did I mention luck? I never felt in danger during those two flights, but then, the PIC seldom does until it's really obvious.
In conclusion, I feel for the whole family, and I have some feeling for what may possibly have driven him.
Tom Kay.
DerAdlerdG:I guess not…
DerAdlerdG:
I'll be happy to respond. I didn't reply to the questions you posed because I already have a brief description of the PA-32 & I figured I said my piece & just step aside for others to respond.
The short answer to questions 1 & 2 is safety.
The early years of flying have resulted in numerous crashes such that a person trying to fly pose more of a safety risk to themselves & others than taking for granted that they have mastered the intricacies of flight.
During that era, the engines were far from reliable & often prone to breaking down in flight under the best of circumstances & literally exploding under the worst.
The airframes were basically wooden frames covered with cloth & held together with glued & wires.
As a result from public outcry, the govt stepped in & started the certification process that has carried on today.
However, we do have what is called "Sports Pilot License" where no certification is required. However, there are numerous restrictions that come with such licenses such as not being allowed to carry passengers for example.
The short answer to your last remaining questions were pretty much arbitrary from experience or accidents or both. Usually the fine line is determined by CFI's ( Certified Flight Instructors ) who from years of experience have taken an average number of hours to declare their students/pilots safe to fly.
I was ready to take my pilot exam after only 10 hours. But that was because up to that point, as an avid aviation enthusiast, I flying in my mind for all of 30 of my ( then ) 35 years. I knew how to fly from reading book, journals pilot operating handbooks ( Internet didn't exist back then) & pretending to manipulate the controls of a wide variety of planes from Cessnas to the P-51 ( I wish).
I flew very successfully (& safely) for 35 years before retiring due to medical issues.
The average "Joe" doesn't fall into that category. In fact, statistics have repeatedly shown the most ill-equipped persons learning how to fly are doctors, lawyers or persons of wealth. They earn big bucks to allow them to ( think that they can ) fly more complex high performance aircraft that are way beyond their skill levels.
John F Kennedy Jr. is ( unfortunately ) a good example. He was flying -of all aircraft- a Piper PA-32 Saratoga. Despite taking lessons & getting his pilot's license & he went off and purchased a complex high performance aircraft (Saratoga). Yes he was taking lessons from his designated instructor to be certified to fly such an aircraft but he needed to be signed off showing he was deemed safe to fly. Unfortunately, as we all know, he was flying that plane without getting signed off by his CFI. We can draw our own conclusions from this example.
Obviously other factors come into play such as flying into marginal weather.
In summary: in effort to minimize self-inflicted hazards, everyone has played a role in shaping the certification standards we have today. Doesn't guarantee that their won't be unfortunate incidences but hopefully it'll serve to deter such events
Hope all this helps.