Wide-Body – I hope I don’t need a chill pill...merely stopping things getting out of hand by a bit of information closer to the issue...
Re: WW events recently.
I am very much aware of them. Given I will be entering the BAeA events next year myself, I learned of the events with great sadness and my condolences to all friends and family of a well respected aviator, who I didn’t have the fortune to meet, and wish I had.
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eharding -
Yes. I believe that is the case (and point taken).
Strange really I don’t know why people do that. Every crew is given an 'IF' envelope - coupled with a radio call to Farnborough should be enough to get them out of whatever problem they found themselves in - assuming it was simply a navigation issue.
Personally I ran round worrying about oil temperature - at one point re-planning in flight for a different airspeed as we reduced power significantly to try an avoid worsening problems - however it looks like this most probably a gauge issue.
I can only assume that they either had more serious problems and had to divert, or found the competition a little too challenging and were afraid to return.
I feel the later issue, if correct, would be the greatest sadness. If entering a competition like this you find yourself a little out of your depth then return, put your hand up and I can assure you a friendly face will help - there are a number of instructors around, and even other very experienced pilots who would willing help so that the following year the crew in question could successfully complete the course.
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Amongst the competitors on the day there was 1 BPPA team member, and David Cockburn from the CAA, I know at least of 1 other BPPA British team member who has yet to fly the course. The Top Nav competition is flown by many pilots of great and varying skill levels, one crew consisted of a pilot + student pilot. So you have the full spectrum here.
I urge ALL pilots who would giggle at the irony of it - (including me - and I was part of it!) and yes if it does turn out to be true it would be extremely ironic.
if not a little embarrassing for the competition - to a degree.
The whole point of Top Nav was to help pilots avoid such incursions and encourage better navigation - along the way mistakes will be made - lessons learnt.
Now...here’s the challenge - for all those who scoff at pilots who allegedly cant get it right - I assume Ill be seeing you all at the competition next year!!
Or better still how about a BPPA competition this year - they are open to everyone - its not a closed club – You’ll find the navigation is much harder than you think - its not a case of having 2 hours the night before to plan it out....and its very hard to draw straight lines bouncing down the runway at WW!!!
