Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:08 pm
Dave Fish wrote:
Feb. 13, 1991: A pilot and passenger are killed when their small stunt plane collides with a helicopter piloted by cartoon voice artist Noel Blanc, son of Mel Blanc, near Santa Paula Airport. Blanc and his passenger, actor Kirk Douglas, are injured.
— From staff reports
I just cringe when I read the news media's non standard, made up stupid words like "stunt".
John
Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:11 pm
I am a little confused here. The article states it was his first solo flight. Was that his first ever solo flight, or just his first solo in the P-51? Not to be judgmental, but I would think learning to fly in a P-51 for your first airplane seems a little scary.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:28 pm
vg-photo wrote:I am a little confused here. The article states it was his first solo flight. Was that his first ever solo flight, or just his first solo in the P-51? Not to be judgmental, but I would think learning to fly in a P-51 for your first airplane seems a little scary.
First solo in the Mustang.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:40 pm
Ok, thanks. That makes much more sense.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:49 pm
Mon Jul 16, 2007 4:50 pm
My understanding is that this P-51 had been fitted with limited/basic dual control (not a TF).
The transition is then pupil in the rear, pupil in the front with instructor, pupil solo.
A sad day.
PeterA
The transition is then pupil in the rear, pupil in the front with instructor, pupil solo.
A sad day.
PeterA
Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:36 pm
So very sad, seeing the wreckage on the news was heart breaking. What's even more sad is the fact that the media stated the pilot was solo-ing for the first time. Simply not true. Solo-ing in a Mustang for the first time yes, I hope for respect to the pilot's memory and his family, the media will publicly correct their error and do a better job of research.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:48 pm
i'm no pilot, just an enthusiast, aviation historian, & author..... but i can say this........ these air time green behind the ears millionaire pilots need to get their wings the old fashioned way....... starting in a cub, & transitioning up as air time / experience accumulates, just like ww 2 training. tragic loss. you all learned to ride a bike with training wheels, this should be no different.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:02 pm
tom d. friedman wrote:i'm no pilot, just an enthusiast, aviation historian, & author..... but i can say this........ these air time green behind the ears millionaire pilots need to get their wings the old fashioned way....... starting in a cub, & transitioning up as air time / experience accumulates, just like ww 2 training. tragic loss. you all learned to ride a bike with training wheels, this should be no different.
Thats how I want to do it(if I ever get to that stage). Its the smart and safe way and will biuld up your skills.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:22 pm
"i'm no pilot, just an enthusiast, aviation historian, & author..... but i can say this........ these air time green behind the ears millionaire pilots need to get their wings the old fashioned way....... starting in a cub, & transitioning up as air time / experience accumulates, just like ww 2 training. tragic loss. you all learned to ride a bike with training wheels, this should be no different."
This statement is a little uncalled for Tom. This was his first sole in type. The man could fly. AND was a WIX member
Steve
This statement is a little uncalled for Tom. This was his first sole in type. The man could fly. AND was a WIX member
Steve
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:30 pm
If a man can fly a T-6 then he is ready for a Mustang. Sometimes the stars align just wrong for somebody. No ones fault, just the hand that is dealt that day.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:43 pm
Obergrafeter wrote:If a man can fly a T-6 then he is ready for a Mustang. Sometimes the stars align just wrong for somebody. No ones fault, just the hand that is dealt that day.
I've had several people tell me that in order to get ready to fly the T-6, you should fly the Mustang...
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:49 pm
Ditto that Randy. I have heard that many times also, and from people that know both airplanes and most agree. Having never flown a Mustang I cannot say first hand, but would not be surprised if it isn't so.
Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:54 pm
Every one of these incidents is tragic in it's own way. I hate to lose the enthusiastic pilots, I hate to lose the aircraft. I also go back to my Father's roots and look at how many young pilots were lost in training trying to fly these demanding aircraft.
To me, the bottom line is that any pilot can reach that crossroad where fate meets circumstance. I, for one, believe that my fate is set. I have driven race cars, crashed race cars, and done many other things that could have resulted in my demise, yet, I still exist. I have not reached my crossroad.
The pilots and planes that we are all passionate about bring out many different emotions in all of us when we as a group suffer a loss. It is a shame that we cannot rebuild the pilots from a "data plate".
To me, the bottom line is that any pilot can reach that crossroad where fate meets circumstance. I, for one, believe that my fate is set. I have driven race cars, crashed race cars, and done many other things that could have resulted in my demise, yet, I still exist. I have not reached my crossroad.
The pilots and planes that we are all passionate about bring out many different emotions in all of us when we as a group suffer a loss. It is a shame that we cannot rebuild the pilots from a "data plate".
Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:33 pm
JohnH wrote:Dave Fish wrote:
Feb. 13, 1991: A pilot and passenger are killed when their small stunt plane collides with a helicopter piloted by cartoon voice artist Noel Blanc, son of Mel Blanc, near Santa Paula Airport. Blanc and his passenger, actor Kirk Douglas, are injured.
— From staff reports
I just cringe when I read the news media's non standard, made up stupid words like "stunt".
John
Or that there is only a couple dozen still flying??
Lynn