I tend to agree with a post further back within this discussion, that if my passenger(s) is/are qualified i.e. other pilot(s), I see no reason not to carry out a running change. Unless of course it is stated within Flying Orders that RCs are not permitted.
Except for PPL training purposes (instructor 'bailing' out) I've never done one and it's unlikely that I'll do one soon. That said if I were to carry out a RC I like to think I'd ensure that all passengers were comprehensively briefed and were aware of the dangers, also perhaps even have a trusted and briefed club member escort people to/from the aeroplane. For all of the effort in organising such an operation it would probably be just as easy to shut down. Thus until I'm forced to negotiate a situation like this I may only speculate on what my actions might be.
Edit: On reflection after posting this I considered my behaviour around aeroplanes. I can't recall walking in front of a row of aeroplanes to get to the one I've booked. I must have done it at some point surely! But usually I walk around the rear of the line (possibly an unconscious self preservation mechanism?). Unless it impossible as the aircraft are sometimes parked facing the club house, in which case I can 'see' which aeroplanes are potentially live and can make some kind of eye contact with someone on board.
All tolled these accident's shouldn't be able to happen, but they seem to crop up rather frequently. I wish everyone involved in one of these types of occurrence a successful recovery, including the psychological states of onlookers/witnesses and the pilots, as well as the subject.
Last edited by GeeWhizz; 10th Dec 2011 at 19:08.