Request for FJ wheels up pics
It's not just coming into land that caravans were useful.
I've stopped many aircraft in the past as I've spotted something wrong as they'd taxied past me on the line. That was just luck though. Having someone at the beginning of the runway who's job it is to give every aircraft a once over before it takes off will prove it's worth in the long run, especially if it saves someon'e life.
I've stopped many aircraft in the past as I've spotted something wrong as they'd taxied past me on the line. That was just luck though. Having someone at the beginning of the runway who's job it is to give every aircraft a once over before it takes off will prove it's worth in the long run, especially if it saves someon'e life.
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Having someone at the beginning of the runway who's job it is to give every aircraft a once over before it takes off will prove it's worth in the long run, especially if it saves someon'e life.
How do the RAF manage when they visit civilian airfields?
Not every RAF airfield had a runway caravan. IIRC the main requirements were, MDA's, where flying training was taking place or if the runway threshold could not be seen from the tower.
That's the pilot's responsibility too.
How do the RAF manage when they visit civilian airfields?
How do the RAF manage when they visit civilian airfields?
Feel free to give it the big "I am" about how great a pilot you are, but you should probably remember that a) you weren't good enough (and I say that as a non-pilot), and b) the least safe people are those whose self-belief exceeds their talent...
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Civvy/GA pilots don't really need a caravan , most of the aircraft they fly will have the gear down & welded anyway . As heard at Chiv. once when an Islander on finals was asked to "Check gear" by ATC . "Down & welded" was the reply .
Some aggressive replies above.
I'm just curious as to why some RAF personnel seek to justify a caravan to avoid wheels up landings. It seems a bit of a sensitive subject though, given that some of you are getting a bit annoyed!
I'm just curious as to why some RAF personnel seek to justify a caravan to avoid wheels up landings. It seems a bit of a sensitive subject though, given that some of you are getting a bit annoyed!
Trim Stab
I went solo in a jet aircraft with retractable undercarriage at the tender age of 19 with around 50 hours total flying under my belt, as did many others at the time (don't get too jealous).
Because of that small amount of experience, the RAF's risk mitigation was to stick a caravan at the end of the runway - an insurance policy if you like against Mr. Cockup knocking at the door. Guess what? It worked and may have saved a few aircraft and crew from being mashed.
If you have a problem with that, then I'd seriously question your attitude towards flight safety.
Because of that small amount of experience, the RAF's risk mitigation was to stick a caravan at the end of the runway - an insurance policy if you like against Mr. Cockup knocking at the door. Guess what? It worked and may have saved a few aircraft and crew from being mashed.
If you have a problem with that, then I'd seriously question your attitude towards flight safety.
I think you are getting a bit uppity, trying to defend the indefensible. Landing wheels up has no excuse for a professional pilot, whether civilian or military.
Trying to blame it on a lack of caravans is absurd. The aircrew should take responsibility for the final checks themselves.
If you follow one of the links above to the contributions by the Blue Angels pilot who forgot to put the gear down, he doesn't try to blame a lack of caravans does he?
Trying to blame it on a lack of caravans is absurd. The aircrew should take responsibility for the final checks themselves.
If you follow one of the links above to the contributions by the Blue Angels pilot who forgot to put the gear down, he doesn't try to blame a lack of caravans does he?
Here we go again.....
Trim - in the example quoted by Lockstock, a 19 year old with a total of 50 hours, is he a "professional pilot" as you refer to it, or a young and inexperienced individual who the system should try to support as much as possible, and can be expected to make mistakes - hopefully not disasterous ones.......
If you dislike military avaition so much why are you interested in becoming a reservist on FSTA????
Trim - in the example quoted by Lockstock, a 19 year old with a total of 50 hours, is he a "professional pilot" as you refer to it, or a young and inexperienced individual who the system should try to support as much as possible, and can be expected to make mistakes - hopefully not disasterous ones.......
If you dislike military avaition so much why are you interested in becoming a reservist on FSTA????
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Hehe..love the quote above about confidence exceeding ability...truest words in aviation.
As a civvie pilot (albeit one who displays ex-military aircraft) I have to say trim stab, there really are those that have and those that will...if they do enough of the right sort of flying.
Never forgotten the gear in me jet but one time after a particularly challenging display practice...well, let's just say I was grateful for the voice from the tower "Check greens".
To deny the possibilty of it happening to you...well, see the quote above.
Cheers
As a civvie pilot (albeit one who displays ex-military aircraft) I have to say trim stab, there really are those that have and those that will...if they do enough of the right sort of flying.
Never forgotten the gear in me jet but one time after a particularly challenging display practice...well, let's just say I was grateful for the voice from the tower "Check greens".
To deny the possibilty of it happening to you...well, see the quote above.
Cheers
As a civvie pilot (albeit one who displays ex-military aircraft) I have to say trim stab, there really are those that have and those that will...if they do enough of the right sort of flying.
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I wanted to, I really did, but I can't just leave it at that...
Challenging flight + distraction in the approach phase + single pilot (though that doesn't have to be the case) = possibility of failure to deploy undercarriage.
I know pilots should never do it, but as humans we are not naturally adapted to cope with all aspects of aviation and as an airliner TRI/TRE, single engine piston instructor and display pilot I appreciate the possibility that it might happen to me.
So should you, ace.
Challenging flight + distraction in the approach phase + single pilot (though that doesn't have to be the case) = possibility of failure to deploy undercarriage.
I know pilots should never do it, but as humans we are not naturally adapted to cope with all aspects of aviation and as an airliner TRI/TRE, single engine piston instructor and display pilot I appreciate the possibility that it might happen to me.
So should you, ace.