missing rob so much he was a great flyer i trusted him 100% Mr bennet is so rude and has no heart in this time RIP babe i loved you the first time we met and ive never stopped loving you FLY FREE baby now you have your own set of wings xx

Trained or untrained
 

The pilot who lost his life in this accident will not read any of the comments on this forum, thankfully. His family may, and that will be to the shame of those making comments here without knowing the whole story. Paul Bennett and others offering opinions into whether or not the pilot was "fully trained" have not covered themselves in glory. Let the investigators determine how and/or why this accident happened and let us all learn from their findings. In the meantime, just feel sympathy for the family of the accident victim.

Unfortunately the more comments that get made here and the more in the papers, the more that will end up in the ATSB report, regardless of what actually went wrong. These days the ATSB build character based on witness reports; not something that I recall them having done for any length of time.

Refer to the RV4 fatal at Clyde for an example.

Paul Bennett is simply promoting Paul Bennett...

I know a chap involved in aerobatics just like him. Any time an aerobatic pilot (or certaint others) lose their lives, he always responds with "he was on my list." A different breed. Jealousy can be a curse.

peterc005 - unfortunately this family member has read it and like you, I thought that that article was extremely insensitive. Rob was a great bloke and made the most of the all too short life that he had. Thanks to all of you that offered kind comments and let's hope that as Old Fella puts it that we all let the investigators determine the cause.
Steff - we share your loss. Rob is now free to roam the skies forever. xxx

I for one support Pauls comments.

After reading the artical I came to the conclusion that Paul was still very upset over the loss of Rob's life when interviewed and had no axe to grid, but made a choice to tackle a very important taboo subject head on.
Paul is a respected aviator with many pilots looking up to him for guidence when it comes to aerobatic flight, and so he bears a responsibility to promote the importance of safety and appropriate training.


I also can not see a 'divide' between current airshow and competition pilots as VH-XXX sugguests. Paul is still very active in competition flying and has always promoted the Australian Aerobatic Club as well as Matt Hall.

VH-XXX making comments that these pilots have a "list" is a utter loss of respect to these pilots and a disgrace. As for "jealousy", why would Paul devote so much of his time importing, assembling, test flying and training for others if he was jealous?? Really? seems to me you are the one that is jealous with a axe to grid! :=

Mr Morgan's family have not even buried their son and Paul Bennet sees fit to grandstand himself in the national press and big note himself at the expense of someone who can't defend himself.

This is not a case of Bennet magnanimously imparting wisdom for the benefit of all, it is a personal swipe at someone that Bennet had an axe to grind with.

I note than Mr Bennet speaks as if with the authority of an office bearer of the Aerobatic Club and didn't mind plugging his business at the same time.

I wonder how Mr Bennet's family would feel reading similar comments about him were it his life lost flying aerobatics. Fortunately they wouldn't because no one else in the Aerobatic Club would sink to such lows.

"PB" maybe an authority on Aerobatics & a professional pilot in his field but he's not showing any of that 'respect' he has in that community for the poor hapless pilot & to a bigger extent his family.
There is a time & place for such comments & this is NOT the time so I feel PB is way out of line here.
As D Hinch would say...shame shame shame !!:ugh:


Wmk2

My point exactly.

Paul Bennet is not a professional pilot, he holds a PPL.

Authority on aerobatics? Perhaps you should ask some of the senior aerobatic pilots in Australia about that.

'Sky' I said he was a professional in his field, wasn't referring to him being an Airline pilot for Eg. You don't need to be an Airline pilot to be 'professional'.
He would obviously be an authority on aerobatics to some degree as he's heavily involved where as most of us rarely go upside down!
Anyway it's got nothing to do with his background It's more his poorly handled
attitude to an obviously sensitive & sad subject.

Wmk2

I agreed with your sentiment Wally just wanted to clarify for anyone who happens to be reading these posts that Paul Bennet is not a professional pilot, he is a Private Pilot who is paid to fly airshows.

Paul Bennet has a history of unsavory behavior, which is why he is not longer President of the club and is no longer seen at competitions.

At one competition in NSW I saw him verbally abuse a senior and respected judge in the worst possibly way. Paul Bennet wasn't happy with the judge's score for his flying, and rather than be a good sportsman and quietly wear it on the chin, he started yelling like a crazy man in front of everyone else.

At another competition in NSW he scuffled with another competitor and had to be restrained.

Senior members of the aerobatic club shake their heads in disbelief and embarassment whenever Paul Bennet struts around as a self-appointed "aerobatics expert". Those who know him and have seen him fly know his achievements fall far short of his boasts.

Paul Bennet's comments in the news article were self-serving and dis genuine. Rather than risk possible criticism for his training or Rob Morgan, he embarked on a nasty personal attack to deflect blame away from himself.

I doubt, for various reasons, Paul Bennet will ever show his face at an aerobatics competition again. The entire aerobatics club is shocked by the tragic loss of Rob and further wounded by the actions of Paul Bennet.

If the family of Rob Morgan read this, know that Rob was universally liked and respected by those in the aerobatic community who flew with him. He was a popular guy with a bright future in aviation in front of him.

If nothing else, I hope Bennett reads some of the comments here. Not too nice when the boots on the other foot is is sport?

Sky Writer. If he is paid that would be a commercial operation which would there for require a commercial licence:hmm:

Well, his number is on his website, put a 1831 in front of it to make your number silent and fire away!!!

j3

He holds a PPL.

He flies for hire or reward.

He advertises that he flies for hire or reward on his website "maxxgaerobatics"

I'll leave the rest for you to decide on.

PPL or CPL
 

Sky Writer, I do not know PB, nor do I know his qualifications. What I do know is that his comments were in poor taste and that your assertion that he is a PPL who flies for reward is a very serious accusation, one which the authorities would doubtless investigate if true . In my view, neither PB nor yourself do yourselves any credit in using this particular thread to comment on each other or the victim of the accident to which this thread relates. Maybe the Questions forum would be a better place to discuss the issue of licence held and validity of "expert comment" etc etc.

The AAC used to be a great organisation to be involved with.....

Sadly, a few first timers here in this thread has proved again what a bunch of halfwits, wannabes and super egos that the AAC is now....