Until I read the whole of the skyjumpers web site, I must admit to feeling a little apprehensive about FD's and TwinHuey's posts.
What did it for me was when the editor of the web site says in one of his descriptions:
We particularly liked it when the bi-plane kept flying just ander the nose of the 412, by about 15 FEET - INVERTED.....and he did this all day long apparently, to keep the thrill factor up.
Please read the web site. Now I know most lay persons tend to get all excited and exaggerate when the adrenaline flows in aviation, but these guys live amongst aviators, they get used to flying 'antics', so there is a reasonable chance that this actually happened.
It seems probable that in the given circumstances this pilot put the aircraft (under his command), outside the safe operating parameters of his remit, based on the evidence of these skydivers who looked to him to provide 'thrills'....it doesn't take that much more of a leap of imagination to understand that "where there is smoke...."
What the hell has 15,000hrs got to do with making someone safe??????
Why is Flying Lawyers post - gospel Steve 76, he isn't perfect, he's just human. [No disrespect Tudor]. get yourself a mind of your own.
Consequently, and especially because this is a democratic forum, one enjoyed because of the vast variety of opinion, I wholeheartedly come down on the side of FD and Twin huey on this one.
READ THE WEB SITE -DECIDE FOR YOURSELF
