Another Red Arrows mishap? (merged)
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
c130J, I would be cautious in blaming media ops, CoC etc. The Reds are known. It would be easy to check out all their homes, ring phones, shotgun calls to 'relatives'. These papers are well known for gutter searching.
Once, by association of name, we received a call from the Sun as there was something going on with a birth and rescue in the Orkneys. They were ringing everyone with our name in the north of Scotland.
Once, by association of name, we received a call from the Sun as there was something going on with a birth and rescue in the Orkneys. They were ringing everyone with our name in the north of Scotland.
Bit harsh to blame the RAF PR team as if they are necessarily guilty. I'd take a punt that they are a little more savvy to the release of such information. The Daily Fail could have easily picked up such knowledge via their network of 'experts'. Maybe some photographer simply took shots of each pilot who left the jets and assumed the one missing was the one named. Who knows? I heard TWO names. Regardless if it's a girl or not (and I wish THAT was never raised - unfair on KM), the news is very sad indeed.
Gentleman Aviator
Flt Lt Stewart involved (dead female red = way bigger story) ??
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RIP- another terrible day for the Reds. My thoughts are with the family and friends as well as all of those connected to this accident.
Ref the Daily Mail action; whilst it is undoubtedly unforgivable to not respect the family's wishes, how many Ppruners went straight to DM online to establish who was the victim of this accident?
Lambast away, but I can't help feeling the thirst for instant info in the media drives such behaviour.
Thoughts and prayers....
Ref the Daily Mail action; whilst it is undoubtedly unforgivable to not respect the family's wishes, how many Ppruners went straight to DM online to establish who was the victim of this accident?
Lambast away, but I can't help feeling the thirst for instant info in the media drives such behaviour.
Thoughts and prayers....
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c130jbloke
When I was reading the first part of your post, I was thinking of exactly what you wrote in the second part.
It is up to the RAF (PR, Reds PR or whoever) to control and provide information and if they don't realise it, they need to and get ahead of the game, even to the extent of providing photos to the media so they become the source. It may be a bit distasteful but it would cut down on a fair bit of speculation. As you say, that is the reality of today's world.
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When I was reading the first part of your post, I was thinking of exactly what you wrote in the second part.
It is up to the RAF (PR, Reds PR or whoever) to control and provide information and if they don't realise it, they need to and get ahead of the game, even to the extent of providing photos to the media so they become the source. It may be a bit distasteful but it would cut down on a fair bit of speculation. As you say, that is the reality of today's world.
.
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It was not my intention to overtly criticise their media ops, but the further up the command structure you go then perhaps the more critical questions should be raised.
As PN rightly pointed out, the media will go to just about any lengths to get the scoop, especially when you consider how time sensitive a high profile story can be ( it was 43 seconds from when BA 038 landed short at LHR to it being on the web !).
Life as a Red can be difficult. Life for somebody attached to a Red must be really difficult and the service has an obligation to ensure the whole of the Reds (and their families) get as much protection as possible when things go wrong. I agree that's it's unfair to name a particular pilot, but she has a unique position and the Reds are public property.
They are down, and I am defiantly not kicking. If it came across that way I apologise. And somebody needs to get a grip of their website.
As PN rightly pointed out, the media will go to just about any lengths to get the scoop, especially when you consider how time sensitive a high profile story can be ( it was 43 seconds from when BA 038 landed short at LHR to it being on the web !).
Life as a Red can be difficult. Life for somebody attached to a Red must be really difficult and the service has an obligation to ensure the whole of the Reds (and their families) get as much protection as possible when things go wrong. I agree that's it's unfair to name a particular pilot, but she has a unique position and the Reds are public property.
They are down, and I am defiantly not kicking. If it came across that way I apologise. And somebody needs to get a grip of their website.
Last edited by c130jbloke; 9th Nov 2011 at 07:28.
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My condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased, and also to the rest of the Sqn. But, sadly, tragic accidents like this can and do happen.
Anyone who has flown an ac sitting on any ejection seat, or the armourers/safety equipment personnel who work on them, know how to treat them with respect. Whilst being a potential life-safer they can also be lethal and a seat should only be armed pre take off and then made safe again after landing.
Inadvertant ejections have happened before, both on the line or in the hangar. A zero, zero seat should have worked in this senario (stationary ac, level attitude) but only if the pilot is properly strapped-in and connected with leg restraints, PEC etc. This was the case of a Canadian student pilot who ejected from a Harvard II a couple of years ago. He lived.
It was sadly not the case when a Harrier pilot died in similar circumstances following a display in the 1980's which was well documented at the time and written up in Air Clues. Whatever the cause in this case it is a complete tragedy but only the BoI (sorry SI now) will be able to determine what actually went wrong.
MB
Anyone who has flown an ac sitting on any ejection seat, or the armourers/safety equipment personnel who work on them, know how to treat them with respect. Whilst being a potential life-safer they can also be lethal and a seat should only be armed pre take off and then made safe again after landing.
Inadvertant ejections have happened before, both on the line or in the hangar. A zero, zero seat should have worked in this senario (stationary ac, level attitude) but only if the pilot is properly strapped-in and connected with leg restraints, PEC etc. This was the case of a Canadian student pilot who ejected from a Harvard II a couple of years ago. He lived.
It was sadly not the case when a Harrier pilot died in similar circumstances following a display in the 1980's which was well documented at the time and written up in Air Clues. Whatever the cause in this case it is a complete tragedy but only the BoI (sorry SI now) will be able to determine what actually went wrong.
MB
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Have complained. Section 5 - Intrusion into Grief or Shock.
Regardless of who leaked it and RAFAT PR etc, it is still the decision of the DM to publish and to do that when the family has requested a period of grace is shocking.
And just because it has already happened doesn't mean we can't complain. It's very easy to do and might make them think twice about it happening again. We can but dream...
Regardless of who leaked it and RAFAT PR etc, it is still the decision of the DM to publish and to do that when the family has requested a period of grace is shocking.
And just because it has already happened doesn't mean we can't complain. It's very easy to do and might make them think twice about it happening again. We can but dream...
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"Is the Wail the only british paper to have published the details ?"
I haven't seen the name in the Telegraph or the Sun, although I notice that the Sun has added a few other details recently (Rank, length of RAF Service etc) but excluded the name.
Not sure about any other newspapers.
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I haven't seen the name in the Telegraph or the Sun, although I notice that the Sun has added a few other details recently (Rank, length of RAF Service etc) but excluded the name.
Not sure about any other newspapers.
.
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Sadly SKY News have published the name of the pilot who sadly died yesterday .
Under there breaking news banner ,
RED ARROWS pilot killed in an accident at RAF SCAMPTON yesterday named as RAF FLT SEAN CUNNINGHAM RED 5 .
Also in the prime ministers question time the local mp to scampton asked the pm for a guarentee to keep RAF SCAMPTON open for the RED ARROWS his answer was we will see what we can do behind private doors .
Under there breaking news banner ,
RED ARROWS pilot killed in an accident at RAF SCAMPTON yesterday named as RAF FLT SEAN CUNNINGHAM RED 5 .
Also in the prime ministers question time the local mp to scampton asked the pm for a guarentee to keep RAF SCAMPTON open for the RED ARROWS his answer was we will see what we can do behind private doors .
MB Mk 10 equipped aircraft grounded
Tornado, Hawk and Tucano grounded this morning. Sadly points to equipment problem, at least pilot error now seems more remote.
Condolences and sympathy to Sean's family, colleagues and the team; I knew him and flew with him; he was a lovely man and an excellent example of a Royal Air Force Officer and pilot, RIP.
Condolences and sympathy to Sean's family, colleagues and the team; I knew him and flew with him; he was a lovely man and an excellent example of a Royal Air Force Officer and pilot, RIP.
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Sad sad day, condolences to his family, friends and Colleagues..
RIP mate.
RIP mate.
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My condolences also go out to the family and friends, very sad.
I think we also need to spare a thought for the poor armourer who was responsible for the seat, it must be terrible for the guy wondering if it might have been something he did or didn't do or even just missed that caused the tragedy.
I think we also need to spare a thought for the poor armourer who was responsible for the seat, it must be terrible for the guy wondering if it might have been something he did or didn't do or even just missed that caused the tragedy.
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