warbird2 wrote:
Just because you do not have the skill or ability to pull off something like the pilots in question do, does not mean that they do not know what they are doing. Go ahead and hit your head against the wall if you want but that is not going to make your example any more relevant. People that fly very low to the ground on a regular basis get very good at doing just that. Just like people that drag their knees on the pavement when making turns on a motorcycle get good at that as well. Those that do not choose to do it always seem to be the ones saying how dangerous it is.
People do not get to fly that low in the USAF. There are rules against crews doing it or I promise you would be seeing much more interesting videos on youtube. Is it dangerous? Yes it is certainly more dangerous in many respects than flying at altitude and it certainly is not something that every single pilot has the skill to pull off. But I fail to see how either of the videos we are talking about put anybody in danger, other than the people in the plane. The L-29 went right down the runway, nothing to hit but the ground. The other guys on the really cool pass did not seem to be tied to the ground! It sure did look like they were enjoying it. I would say that they knew the risk and chose to take it.
There are people calling for these pilot's tickets on this thread and it did not even happen on this continent. Maybe it is not against the regulations to do it where they are.
Would you kindly post your picture so I never get in a plane you are flying?
3 weeks ago a 27 year old man pushed the envelope in his sports car. He lost conttrol and hit an SUV with 6 kids 19-21 years of age. The daughter of a friend of mine was killed. She remains 19 forever. I happened to come upon the wreck on my way home. in 15 years of EMS and Emergency medicine. I have never seen such damaged cars.
So the guys jumping out of the way of that "really cool" pass were not in danger?
I'm sorry, but to use the terms "really cool" to describe that pass shows lack of judgement. Unless there is some mitigating circumstance. Why ever fly that low, especially in public.
Maybe I am getting old and not as bold, but I do not operate my warbird this way. I would not let anyone else operate my aircraft that way either.
I know there are excellent pilots out there in the civilian and military world, but you make it sound like if you do not fly 3 feet off the ground you are being a wimp. That may have worked in middle school, but has no place on the tarmac. It is one thing to be on a mission and have no choice. One thing to be a display pilot.
I'm sorry, but in what we do with our warbirds, safety has to some first. Even the perception of unsafe flying can ruin our "hobby".
Even if it is not against the regulations, you have to ask yourself; "is it a smart thing to do?"
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