Why are there no Reno reports on the Information Exchange???

[tex-fan]

MSNBC is about to do a news cast. prayers with them!

[Ztex]

We have one thread on this already. Please direct your condolences there. Thank you.

viewtopic.php?p=427432#p427432

[aeroenterprises]

I have sat back and watched the misinformation about the Viper powered L-29's on this and other forums since last June. My company builds the Viper powered racers as well as several stock jet racers. The incident at PRS , 2011 was 100% caused by the pilot. The aircraft was over G'd on a test flight. The pilot did not report this over G to a qualified maintenance person to have the FAA required over G inspection performed. She then flew the aircraft at least 3 more flights. knowing this. The good news is that it was "soft", order 1 failure, which means that there was no breaking of the mount, only deformation. Had the FAA required inspection been performed the deformation would have been detected and the aircraft parked until proper repairs had been made. As a side note there have been 3 other instances of over G on the Viper mounts, all reported properly and inspected, with no deformation or other damage found. One of these was at or above 12 G. In any event on the incident flight the aircraft was seen to fly at least 7 laps over 500, then slow down to around 400 for 3 additional laps, then make a normal pattern and landing. It cleared the runway then shut down. A tug was sent to retrieve the aircraft and return it to the pits. Before the pilot exited the aircraft she told the tug crew that she had to power back to 93% in order to lower a sudden increase in EGT. This is when the aircraft slowed to 400. As any turbine pilot knows any sudden change in EGT is cause for concern and a landing should be made as soon as possible. With an airport directly below, it is very poor airmanship to not pull off the course and land. If the power had been pulled back to the level needed to fly a normal pattern and landing the damage to the tail of the aircraft would have been minimal. The temp of the gasses would be reduced to about 450 from 700 and the pressure would be lowered to about 30% of what was there at full power.

The pilot lied to both the FAA and the NTSB about the over G of the aircraft. It was not until late August, 2011 that she admitted to the RJI Board of Directors to an over G event. By then there was so much misinformation that the RARA board of directors did not allow the aircraft to Race. There is now ample proof that the viper mounts are strong enough for the installation. In fact every mount built is tested to 12 G. That is a 50% margin over the aircraft rating of 8 G. This is the same margin the FAA requires on all certified aircraft and more than is required on those in the experimental category. In addition there have been major inspections and independent testing of the mounts with no defects found. There are 9 of these modifications now with 8 still in service and there has never been any other incidents.

I will be happy to discuss this in more detail if anyone is interested.

Thank you

[bjberry]

Jesus Christ, Dave, nothing like throwing someone under the bus 9 months later.
You can blame the pilot all you want, there are plenty of people who were there, who saw the G meter (4 Gs is excessive? Really?) and know what the story is.
Point fingers all day long, we know the truth and your version is not it.

[Monkeyshines7]

Jesus Christ, Dave, nothing like throwing someone under the bus 9 months later.
You can blame the pilot all you want, there are plenty of people who were there, who saw the G meter (4 Gs is excessive? Really?) and know what the story is.
Point fingers all day long, we know the truth and your version is not it.

That is putting it very politely.

[muddyboots]

[Mark Allen M]

[MX304]

Jesus Christ, Dave, nothing like throwing someone under the bus 9 months later.
You can blame the pilot all you want, there are plenty of people who were there, who saw the G meter (4 Gs is excessive? Really?) and know what the story is.
Point fingers all day long, we know the truth and your version is not it.

That is putting it very politely.

That jet is a very sore subject for many. It was / is being re-engineered and rebuilt by a new crew so who knows what the future holds. The team was bragging on Facebook that it will easily be able to exceed Vne after the re-build. The fact they were saying that right after the tragic events of last years races really says a lot about the whole deal....

[Stoney]

Add Race 6 "Somethen Else" to the list as back to stock.

[tex-fan]

welcome, 3 new members,,,,WOW

[Speedy]

I've kept out of this discussion for a while...which is not common for me. I've been going to Reno for four decades now, and I have to say that I have never been more uncomfortable on a regular basis as I am whenever the jets race. I felt this way before Brad Moorehouse crashed in 2007--though I have to admit that standing in our T-6 pit during that race we could see how tight it was going to be at pylon 8 on the pace lap and we all held our breath collectively because we could see what was going to happen, and there was nothing we could do to stop it.

But since that time I make a dedicated effort to NOT watch the jet races. It's just uncomfortable for me to watch them. The stories of Curt Brown edging with Mach-tuck and not telling anyone about it, and the Raju-Grace saga as it unfolded last year...all I can think to myself is 'really'? I thought we were all more professional than this. Does it matter who's fault it is?

I'd think identifying the problem, fixing the issues, and all being on the same page would be more productive than finger pointing.

[Wildchild]

[Chappie]

Add Race 6 "Somethen Else" to the list as back to stock.

Really? Where is this aircraft now?


Chappie

[Mike]

Add Race 6 "Somethen Else" to the list as back to stock.

Really? Where is this aircraft now?


Chappie

It is now 'Crazy Horse 2' at Kissimmee, converted to TF-51 spec. Sad

[Chappie]

It is now 'Crazy Horse 2' at Kissimmee, converted to TF-51 spec. Sad

Oh, ok. Well TF-51 is better than a cut up Unlimited.


Chappie