Crash at Austrian Airshow, pilot killed

[RAT 5]

Deptrai: thank you for the info. Who verifies the 3 practices within 90 days? And the application of DA? If it is the pilot themselves, then what's the point? There are no videos on a log book.
I've been watching the series 'Airshow' on History channel. It's USA based and very interesting. There was a story line about a newbie and how he was awarded his airshow wings. I also saw some amazing displays & manoeuvres which I really wonder if they would be allowed in EU. The real astonishing event was the formation display by 3 small a/c at night with wing mounted pyrotechnics. Truly astonishing. It seemed the Air Boss had a strong watchful eye on things, but these were often small shows. I had the idea that local FAA guys were never far away. Is that the same in EU; local suitably qualified XAA guys being watchful?

[glad rag]

Originally Posted by RAT 5

In 1976 Dave Perrin, of Rothmans fame, used to start his solo display with a roll on takeoff. It was amazing to see the a/c lift off, and, seemingly, before he was half a wing span in the air he was starting the roll. It was scary; and then the inverted flight at 20' into a -ve push up to vertical. All in a Pitts S2A. 40 years ago; it was considered exceptionally skillful, but not outrageous, because we all trusted he knew what he was doing and wanted to continue to do it for many more years. Mr. Tucker does even more exceptional. I guess, as Dirty Clint Harry said; " a man's got to know his limitations". Rather than, "do you feel lucky; well do you?" Luck shouldn't be in the plan; it is skill & judgement. When there is a crack in either of those luck may be the saving grace, but as often as not you will feel the painful bite of very sharp teeth in you backside.
Is it the case that very capable aero-pilots visually assess airshow routines, regularly, to approve the capability of various pilots? I know that this will not stop the odd 'push the envelope for a little extra' by some guys on a one-off basis. In my days with air shows it was common to see the same guys on tour with their set routine. It was all well practised, thought out and performed many times per season. Is there any 'recurrency' requirement for todays airshow pilots?

Thank you for that RAT 5.

my previous posting, thanking no spectators were physically involved, was removed: hey it's prune: but the sentiments still stand.

I personally feel that there is a point where the display pilot mindset resets into the what if category: military discipline normally either self kicks in or the kick is applied from peers/above to curtail this behavioural trait these days.

However, in the civil field, in days off from "the job" where pilots are constrained from using their natural skills to the full, is there a subconscious tendency to just push beyond the boundaries even more? Akin to the early Sunday morning blast, on two wheels or four? And yes I've done both before you ask!

my original post was perhaps insensitive, and for that I apologise, but the sentiment stands after Shoreham.

rgds

gr.

[deptrai]

in the civil field, in days off from "the job" where pilots are constrained from using their natural skills to the full, is there a subconscious tendency to just push beyond the boundaries even more

I can't generalize, but many "civil" line pilots I know would be horrified at the thought of even pushing the boundaries in a simulator. To me as a young man, who thought out loud "I'd like to try and see how it behaves", the reply was "just don't, not even in a sim, what's the point". (from the mouth a former starfighter driver)

[glad rag]

@ deptrai

?

You purposely missed the above out when you quoted me.

Well done.

[mv031161]

Rat 5....TV shows are made for TV Audience. Please don't tell me you also believe in the Aircraft Repo series?

I invite you to visit ICAS web site and see what it takes to be a low level performer amd what it takes to have an airshow waiver. Most performers are stuck at 800 to 500 ft low level and it takes this license to be part of any airshow in the US. no ICAS license..no Air Shows for you...Simple as that!

https://www.airshows.aero/

[martine]

In 1976 Dave Perrin, of Rothmans fame, used to start his solo display with a roll on takeoff. It was amazing to see the a/c lift off, and, seemingly, before he was half a wing span in the air he was starting the roll. It was scary; and then the inverted flight at 20' into a -ve push up to vertical. All in a Pitts S2A.

Was it Neil Williams that did something similar in a Pitts...on take-off and very low, pulled to the vertical and rolled before pushing back to horizontal as the speed decayed? I believe he may have written something about it in his book explaining that despite being spectacular was actually safer than rolling horizontally at very low level.

[Pittsextra]

Unlike the Hunter accident not much of a "let's wait for the Accident report" here... It's no criticism more an observation. Funny old world.

[helen-damnation]

"The flying display was closed by Genardy Elfimov in his Yak-52. Considered by many to be the master of the type, Genardy was formerly an instructor at the Moscow Aerobatic School but is now based at Wolverhampton Business Airport (formerly Halfpenny Green) in the West Midlands. Beginning his display with his trademark flick roll shortly after take-off he earned enthusiastic applause from his fellow pilots for manoeuvres that some would consider impossible. His final 'show stopper' was to pull up into a 45 degree climb, roll inverted, lower the Yak's undercarriage, pull through the bottom half of a loop and land - all whilst opening the canopy and waving to the crowd!"

Saw him do it, very impressive!