Ok, it’s confession time. Last post written after one night in Bangkok, so that explains the sentimentality (at least did not phone girly and told her I love her 50 times!). To go back to the original question of bad pax, I have only had one. It was such an experience for both of us it is worth repeating. It was 10 years ago but it still makes me cringe.
It was the day of the local club airshow, with all local flying to be concluded by 1300. I had been baited by bigmouth boyfriend of a mate of mine about pilots, flying etc, etc. He was a computer programmer who believed people should be run by Machines. Got to airfield and had to do a tailwheel change, now running tight on time. Elect not to fly due time (god the boy has brains), get baited by computer bloke about pilots again decide to fly (No he doesn’t). Strap the mouth in without my usual lengthy safety, fun etc etc briefing. Taxi, Checks, go, get to 50 ft, mouth grabs controls.
Before you say hit him with big stick, it was a tandem ac with him in the back. He says he feels safer holding on to the stick, I ask him to let go. Ac in an increasingly nose high attitude; speed dropping. Can not overpower controls, start to get very firm verbally, speed 45kts dropping.
Keep ball in the middle, now getting very verbally concise. After letting mouth know he has 5 seconds to live, get back controls. I land immediately and taxi in. Not fully paying attention, I nearly taxi into the back of a visiting 172 who had parked on a taxi way (no forward vis directly over the nose).
I made so many mistakes, that day and have gone over them many times (so no assassinations please). Lessons learned were many. Main points, NEVER rush, ALWAYS brief and finally ……………..better not say or all the computer programmers in the world will seek revenge.
Please do not let the horror stories put you off flying pax especially youngsters (better they turn into pilots not programmers).
Regards to all
Wide.
Stik: a brilliant story, but worth taking seriously in my YAK