MikeeB
18th Jun 2004, 08:11
For a number of months now, I've seen one individual display the most shocking standards of airmanship. I've not said anything to anyone, but I believe enough is enough.
It all starts when the individual arrives at the airfield. Typically the sound of screeching tyres and parking his car where he feels like it are the norm, frequently next to the aeroplane. The complete disregard for anyone else that might happen to be about is already apparent.
Worse is yet to come. Without carrying out checks of any kind, he's straight onto the runway, and airborne. It can only be a matter of time before something goes pear shaped. I must have seen this person go flying on 40-50 occasions, and not once have I seen him check the oil or fuel, or carry out a power check before getting airborne.
You think that is bad enough... we don't hear any radio calls, never seen him use the circuit, oh no, it's always straight in and out for this young fella. I suppose it's fortunate that I've never actually seen anyone else in the air at the same time. He regularly flies through cloud, even though we don't think he's got his IMC. What are we to do?
And then to top it all off, he can often be seen buzzing people in the town that he lives, clearly flying below 500ft. I've even seen him buzz the local train service as it goes over a nearby viaduct. He flies directly towards the side of the train, and then pulls up at the last minute.
I suppose he gets away with it because he's very popular in the small town that he lives in. My understanding is that he runs an illegal taxi firm. He regularly takes people places (for reward) and yet he isn't licensed, he might not even have a PPL; seems a bit young to me.
If you want to see this person in action then you will catch him most days
on Channel 5 in a morning - his name is Noddy :)
Sorry - I need to get out more.
It all starts when the individual arrives at the airfield. Typically the sound of screeching tyres and parking his car where he feels like it are the norm, frequently next to the aeroplane. The complete disregard for anyone else that might happen to be about is already apparent.
Worse is yet to come. Without carrying out checks of any kind, he's straight onto the runway, and airborne. It can only be a matter of time before something goes pear shaped. I must have seen this person go flying on 40-50 occasions, and not once have I seen him check the oil or fuel, or carry out a power check before getting airborne.
You think that is bad enough... we don't hear any radio calls, never seen him use the circuit, oh no, it's always straight in and out for this young fella. I suppose it's fortunate that I've never actually seen anyone else in the air at the same time. He regularly flies through cloud, even though we don't think he's got his IMC. What are we to do?
And then to top it all off, he can often be seen buzzing people in the town that he lives, clearly flying below 500ft. I've even seen him buzz the local train service as it goes over a nearby viaduct. He flies directly towards the side of the train, and then pulls up at the last minute.
I suppose he gets away with it because he's very popular in the small town that he lives in. My understanding is that he runs an illegal taxi firm. He regularly takes people places (for reward) and yet he isn't licensed, he might not even have a PPL; seems a bit young to me.
If you want to see this person in action then you will catch him most days
on Channel 5 in a morning - his name is Noddy :)
Sorry - I need to get out more.