Originally Posted by
Lead Balloon
Oh gawd, here we go.
More approvals and training and qualifications and regulations? To land an amphibious aircraft on the water?
The ways in which pilots usually "stoof in" are well known. And those ways are usually "very basic" errors. Perhaps education, education and more education about the lessons that have been learned over and over would be a more effective solution.
I agree with LB's sentiments but would add that in an airshow or demonstration environment all participants could be expected to have had thorough briefings with those experienced personnel who would be in charge of proceedings. Those briefings would take into account all the various physical and and other risk factors that have been canvassed in this thread. This may well have taken place and no judgement should be given until all the facts are carefully considered.
Irrespective of this particular occurrence, unfortunately in this country the general pattern in a shrinking GA scene is a lack of experience coupled with diminished practice of procedures that can mitigate the risk of such destructive accidents. It has been said that CASA doesn't believe that our GA industry is sufficiently mature for more devolved responsibility and hence our extraordinary nth degree prescriptive rules. This patronising and government knows best attitude is proving to be counter productive.