Looking at the videos etc he seems to have pushed the B52 to the limit again and again and then his luck ran out...very sad..but given his history there was a likelyhood it would end this way..:(

I wonder if he was this reckless from the start of his flying career?

Absolutely. However, I guess what I was trying to say is that the Bud Holland case needs to be looked at in perspective. Because of the circumstances involved we look at it in horror and think "how on earth could they let this happen?", but in reality they odds off these things happening often if ever aren't high. This is no mitigation for those involved in Bud Hollands example, but how many 23 year veterans turn unstable?

His record only came into question in an official way 3 years before the crash, and surely even the most apathetic command structure or apprehensive junior officers couldn't put up with such behaviour un-officially for much longer than that, so lets call it 5. From what I can gather, his early career was exemplary, as witnessed by his OFR's.

Most 20 year veteran pilots I know are consummate professionals, and the reason for that is that military flying is Darwinian. The crap gets weeded out over the years. As you said, its worth being wary of a 500 hour pilot; they haven't earned their stripes, so to speak. But I am confident that the "system" in place in the USAF/RAF/RCAF/RAAF/RNZAF etc is generally proficient enough to make sure that junior pilots who display those traits are suitably dealt with.

The Bud Holland situation was an oddity, certainly one to be wary of happening again, but not one we need to be jumping at shadows over either. I am happy to give a 5000 hour pilot the respect and trust he/she deserves, until such time as he or she proves otherwise.

I think the USAFs requirement for moving senior officers around to get promoted has much to do with the Holland story. My understanding is he had stayed at Fairchild for many years and had "seen them come and seen them go". The "them" being commanders on the way up. For someone in command, the instinctive answer to a Bud Holland is to not raise to much stink as it might stick to them and their careers. So, give a stiff finger verbal reprimand, try to hold him in check long enough to move on to a new billet and promotion. Col Pellerin was enroute to a Wing Commander's job until the facts caught up to him. JAGs that worked for Pellerin thought he got a raw deal (!).

I had a rogue in one of my squadrons, broke rules, got the job done at the expense of the crew. Myself and others had to forcefully twist the wing commander's arm to make him face was the problem. He liked the guy because he accomplished any mission. The squadron hated him,we finally beat the wing commander into agreeing. JUST before he committed armed robbery of the base shoppette. Go figure.

Ultimately, only a bunch of integrity and willingness to put your career on the line can stop these guys. If he didn't crash, and he might not have, he could have gone on to retirement a respected officer and pilot.

GF

PZ, youtube is full of cowboys who share Holland's disregard for safety.

Here are a couple more to add to your interesting article.:ok:

Low flying at airshows brings out the gasps from spectators. Have look at this screen grab from an 8-mm film I shot at one of the Biggin Hill Battle of Britain displays in the 1960's. I estimate aircraft was around 20ft above the crowd and inverted.

Identification of the aircraft type and at which year's BoB I took the film would be welcome.

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/LowPass1.jpg

Approaching

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/LowPass2.jpg
Passing

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/LowPass3.jpg
Departing

http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/LowPass4.jpg

Climbing away - still inverted

Very Late PS. It was Neil Williams

My guess is that it is a Zlin Trener.
Regards
csd

BAF F104, 500kts rolls, 20 feet. Touch, go, roll, touch, go, roll, touch go, tops 50 feet.

Professionals highly impressed and standing well back, OC Ops Apoplectic (it might have been apocalyptic too if he had landed in the nuclear bomb dump or hitthe QRA aircraft).

Ah yes! The 'Mad Major' of the BAF:)

Did he become old as well as bold?

Also remember post airshow departure at Oldenburg. Jets lifted off, round the circuit, lower and lower cross the airfield. USAF F111 weeny (:)) airborne and disappeared straight ahead in the murk. Couple of days later (well it seemed like it) near transonic pass on the deck. :}

Then the Kreigsmarine Atlantic. Unlike the rest that entered the circuit this simply lifted off, undercarriage up, and banked hard through the hardened shelters between runway and taxi-way straight for the control tower. Quick wings level, I think, as he passed over the radar aerials, I think, as I was lying head down at the time as well as nursing a massive 3-day hangover.

This word, I don' think it mean what you think it mean.... :cool:

Apoplectic maybe....

Quite right ORAC, I couldn't spell it and my spell chucker only threw up the one word.

Ah, a long and tiring weekend as I sit here in the English summer, sweater on, shivering over a cold keyboard.

Or perhaps the Apocalypse was immanent for the pilot of the BAF F104!:}

Please allow me to rephrase...
 

Or perhaps the Apocalypse was impending for the pilot of the BAF F104!

Mad Major. Is this him? :uhoh:

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b270/cumpas/09.jpg

One way of drying the crowds. I was clearly standing well back <vbg>

That's the one! Stop him!
Actually one of his higher passes.:)

Jorgy Keiris?
 

I had a still of this mad man flying inverted up the Danube with the top of his fin in the water, but I can't find it in my computer, I may have the name wrong anyway but here is a link to another man with no fear, flying an SU29(?) inverted, under a very low bridge. Very scary!
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/475642...idge_inverted/

'In' Cannes Bay (Post #7) in http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=284855

Oh my goodness BOAC, the photo in your link is... well, I am lost for words!

Lost for words? How about this: The Flying Lions

http://www.myaviation.net/search/display_photo.file?

Youtube: The Runway is Wet