RCU Forums - View Single Post - I'd Like to propose an addendum to the safety code

05-25-2013 | 04:48 PM

#7

STKNRUD

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: Prescott, AZ

RE: I'd Like to propose an addendum to the safety code

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Boomerang1

Quote:

Safety is not a function of the size of the engine. It is the pilot

Don't entirely agree, only 99% of the time is it the pilot!

Came back from a weekend fly in last Sunday thinking exactly the same as Warbird 1.

It was a mixed event at an average club field with all sorts of models & 5 jets. All but one of the
jet pilots did the right thing, plenty of high speed passes but parrallel with the strip, aerobatics well
out from the crowd, vertical climbs not too high (we generally have a 400 ft limit in Oz.) One women
was heard to say 'I love those jets, the're awesome!'

BUT, one knob with a Flash had to show everyone what a hero he was. Climbs out of sight, full speed
figure 8's towards the crowd, full speed high G turns towards the crowd, full throttle passes 2 feet off
the strip angled out beyond the no-go line - great work! The best thing about his flight was it finished &
it was too late in the day for another chance to create more uneasiness. At least this saved the organisers
the awkward situation of having to tell him to pack it away.

Now the mutterings of the crowd was how scary & dangeous 'those jets' are, the 'what - if's' came out &
the perceptions of jets had changed from awesome to dangerous.

I don't know about the US but in OZ there are VERY few places to fly jets close to the major cities. Most
'average' clubs don't allow them & with clowns like the guy above I can see why. If he had crashed, and he
is a serial crasher, the crowd would have thrown him on the fire.

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. - John.

Unfortunately your experience is not unique. Fortunately most don't fly that way and hopefully the clubs try to throttle the guys that do. I just can't see a safety code that places more restrictions on everyone and does little for safe flying. If I want something larger than a JetCat P100 in a Elan, I have to buy from a different mfg since the next size, P140, is above Boomerang's recommendation engine size. If I only had a P140, I would have to buy another engine and non of those requirements would make me a safer pilot. If you think speed is the issue, enforce the current safety code. If we can't or don't do that, another restriction isn't going to make those that ignore the first, fly with a smaller engine.

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