B-29 DOC Overcoming Obstacles

[APG85]

http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All- ... g-problems

[Iclo]

Nothing unusual for the restoration of such a complex and old airplane.

[Ken]

Not to take this on a tangent, but the article says that they hope DOC will offer rides to the public. Given the current moratorium on FAA LHFE waivers and the scuttlebutt that the FAA does not want to ever re-open the discussion, there is a chance that DOC will never carry paying passengers. I hope that's not the case but it is a real possibility.

Ken

[APG85]

The article mentions a CAF flight crew flying the plane. Is the DOC organization putting together their own flight crews to operate the plane?

[flightsimer]

Not to take this on a tangent, but the article says that they hope DOC will offer rides to the public. Given the current moratorium on FAA LHFE waivers and the scuttlebutt that the FAA does not want to ever re-open the discussion, there is a chance that DOC will never carry paying passengers. I hope that's not the case but it is a real possibility.

Ken

the FAA are now allowing new organizations into the program as long as the type of aircraft are already operating within the program. So as long as DOC can be maintained and operated in the same fashion as FIFI, it should not be an issue for it to be carrying passengers.

The article mentions a CAF flight crew flying the plane. Is the DOC organization putting together their own flight crews to operate the plane?

I am sure they are, but as the CAF has the only pilots current in a B-29 in the world... I am sure Doc's friends want to train their pilots in their own plane due to the costs associated with the training.

Its the same way with our C-123, we are the only group operating one and have the most current crewmembers, so we have been asked to ferry and/or train people in it prior to the other organization having their own crewmembers trained/qualified.

[DH82EH]

It also makes a lot of sense to have an experienced and current crew do the flight testing.

Andy

[Garth]

It also makes a lot of sense to have an experienced and current crew do the flight testing.

Andy

I'm pretty sure that's why we tend to see lots and lots of pictures of Steve Hinton behind the controls of newly-restored warbirds on their first/early post-restoration flights. IIRC he's the ONLY pilot that the insurance co.s will allow to fly Glacier Girl. Or at least he was for a good long while.

[DH82EH]

I think Rod Lewis also flies Glacier Girl, or at least has flown it.

Steve sure has done a lot of first flights. I think he's the only person to have flown Paul Allens FW-190 since its return to flight.

It certainly makes a lot of sense, to minimize the variables, of a first flight.

Andy

[Stephan Wilkinson]

An enormous number of homebuilt accidents--most of them fatal--occur on the new airplane's first flight. Part of this is due to the fact that the homebuilder may very well have flown zero hours during the years of building his airplane, but part of it is also due to the fact that you can be an excellent homebuilder but a lousy test pilot.

When I finished my Falco, I let a very experienced, current and capable pilot make the first flight, despite the fact that I had several thousand hours and over 100 types logged, including corporate jets and four-engine pistons. Several of my condescending homebuilder acquaintances said my cowardice was equivalent to letting somebody else have sex with my wife, but never mind. The first flight went well and I made the second flight.

Obviously, the challenges of making a first flight in a sophisticated warbird are orders of magnitude greater.

[DH82EH]

Thanks for that Stephan.
Sounds like your "condescending homebuilder acquaintances" don't have a lot of common sense.
Cowardice or bravery has absolutely nothing to do with a situation like this.
I commend your choice to have an experienced and current pilot make the first flight. Clearly the best and safest decision.

There have been a lot of airplanes needlessly damaged and people hurt or worse, when the biggest ego makes the first flight.

No doubt you have enjoyed your Falco for many hours.

Andy

[b29driver]

To fly FIFI or DOC a rating in the B-29 is required for pilots and a Recip Engineer Rating for the Flight Engineer. The Scanners and APU operator also require specific training. If there were no one rated or current in a B-29 then the only other way would be to request a temporary LOA from the FAA.

It is no different than restoring any other warbird that requires an Experimental Authorization to fly. You can rebuild it, but that doesn't mean you can jump in it and fly without the proper training and ratings.

[wendovertom]

If they don't make Oshkosh maybe they should make a really historic trip to Wendover for the 509th reunion this year!

Can't wait to see Doc fly again it will be awesome!

Tom P.

[B-29 Super Fort]

If they don't make Oshkosh maybe they should make a really historic trip to Wendover for the 509th reunion this year!

Can't wait to see Doc fly again it will be awesome!

Tom P.

I second that.

[p51]

It'd be a pipe dream at best, but I've always thought it'd be the best to fire up a plane for the first time nobody knew was flying yet, then buzz, say, a reunion with it or something.
Sort of like when they buzzed Bassingborn field with all those B-17s while filming, "Memphis Belle" while a 91st BG vet group was visiting. They had no idea what was coming.
Imagine hearing the engines, looking up and seeing Doc coming over with no prior warning she'd ever taken to the air before!

[JohnH]

Wow that must have been just beyond belief for those vets!!!