exhaustgases wrote:
Questions, don't they limit the just one aircraft to be flying during these events? If not they should. And the flight path should only be very close to the airport, for when these sort of problems happen.
The phrase "during these events" struck me. As far as the airplane is concerned, it's just another flight. While some displays do require a higher power setting be maintained for a longer interval, this wasn't Reno, and it's doubtful the TBM was required to use anything other than normal power settings. Assuming that's true, every flight has the same potential for a mishap, whether it be for a show or not. So, should airplanes be flown at all?
(Almost) every airplane that arrives at Oshkosh had to leave its home pattern and assume some additional level of risk. I suppose a museum could declare a policy that their aircraft will not leave the home pattern and maybe the WWI machines at Old Rhinebeck are an example. Someone might rightfully respond that the most dangerous parts of a flight are the takeoff, low level portion, and landing, therefore hanging around the pattern isn't the safest course of action either. Someone else might counter that, if the airplane is maintained to the applicable airworthiness standard there shouldn't be a cause for concern; i.e. if you don't think the thing is gonna run reliably, you ought not to be taking it aloft. You can't win. Those who adamantly say "Keep 'Em Flying!" must add "... and accept the risks" in the same breath.
Not pointing any fingers nor do I mean any disrespect. Just stating the situation as I see it.
Ken