BBC2 The Real Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines
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I watched it, and was uncomfortable with some of it, and liked other bits. Given that I am currently learning in a microlight, it didn't really match my experience of most of the people I have met so far.
So, to be more specific, yes, I wish they had chosen to follow the people who won, rather than the people they did. Of course its hard to work out who would win before the race started, but when you look at who were in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, its no surprise, so they should have followed one of them.
Regarding Anthony Woodward, I have read Propellerhead, and I thought he was entertaining, and nothing different from what I expected. I think they tried very hard to "big up" the irresponsible nature of their flying, but it was TV drama, rather than real. I never saw anything too crazy from them, and getting lost....well, its a mistake, rather than irresponsible.
I was also not too shocked by the Irish dad and boy. Again, they bigged up the drama of him being frightened, and the "stress" between them, but that's TV, and a huge pat on the dad's back for recognising day one that it was too much for his son, and making it a sightseeing and "father and son" time, rather than a race.
The person who made me uncomfortable was RMH. I don't really care how experienced a pilot he is, how capable he is, or how idiosyncratic he is....what I care about is that he was held up as a leading light in the microlighting world, and then did some bl**dy stupid things, the main one of which was undoing his seatbelt whilst in flight. Being a student, I am happy to be corrected, but surely since the POH has seatbelt checks as one of the pre-flight checks, then taking it off 2500' up to turn around in your seat is illegal, no? It's certainly dangerous, and gives the wrong message, as far as I am concerned.
Anyhow, all the same, 2/3 aint bad, and I can't deny I enjoyed watching the dad and son get on.
Finally, to the person in London who was looking for somewhere, try Exodus Airsports, in St Albans. Not too far a journey, and the chief instructor there is the bloke who won the RBR. Friendly bunch too, and a good mix of both flexwing and 3axis pilots.
So, to be more specific, yes, I wish they had chosen to follow the people who won, rather than the people they did. Of course its hard to work out who would win before the race started, but when you look at who were in 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, its no surprise, so they should have followed one of them.
Regarding Anthony Woodward, I have read Propellerhead, and I thought he was entertaining, and nothing different from what I expected. I think they tried very hard to "big up" the irresponsible nature of their flying, but it was TV drama, rather than real. I never saw anything too crazy from them, and getting lost....well, its a mistake, rather than irresponsible.
I was also not too shocked by the Irish dad and boy. Again, they bigged up the drama of him being frightened, and the "stress" between them, but that's TV, and a huge pat on the dad's back for recognising day one that it was too much for his son, and making it a sightseeing and "father and son" time, rather than a race.
The person who made me uncomfortable was RMH. I don't really care how experienced a pilot he is, how capable he is, or how idiosyncratic he is....what I care about is that he was held up as a leading light in the microlighting world, and then did some bl**dy stupid things, the main one of which was undoing his seatbelt whilst in flight. Being a student, I am happy to be corrected, but surely since the POH has seatbelt checks as one of the pre-flight checks, then taking it off 2500' up to turn around in your seat is illegal, no? It's certainly dangerous, and gives the wrong message, as far as I am concerned.
Anyhow, all the same, 2/3 aint bad, and I can't deny I enjoyed watching the dad and son get on.
Finally, to the person in London who was looking for somewhere, try Exodus Airsports, in St Albans. Not too far a journey, and the chief instructor there is the bloke who won the RBR. Friendly bunch too, and a good mix of both flexwing and 3axis pilots.
Last edited by IanPZ; 28th Jan 2012 at 13:31. Reason: spelling....it was atrocious
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The person who made me uncomfortable was RMH. I don't really care how experienced a pilot he is, how capable he is, or how idiosyncratic he is....what I care about is that he was held up as a leading light in the microlighting world, and then did some bl**dy stupid things, the main one of which was undoing his seatbelt whilst in flight. Being a student, I am happy to be corrected, but surely since the POH has seatbelt checks as one of the pre-flight checks, then taking it off 2500' up to turn around in your seat is illegal, no? It's certainly dangerous, and gives the wrong message, as far as I am concerned.
Do you wear a yellow jacket when you climb the stairs in your house, just in case you might otherwise collide with the wife as she comes down (but only if she too isn't so attired?)?
Amazingly, some of us who've been flying for several decades have learned that you survive by assessing the risk, and making your own descisions. Else it's best just to stay on the ground.
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Did it not occur to you that RMH, having overflown Everset in a microlight and done lots of other amazing stuff, might know what he's about when he undoes his seatbelt in flight?
Richard Meredith-Hardy, Microlight & Paramotor pilot CV
I saw the finish of the Grand Course he won in 1991, by completing 2015km in 3 days in an Air Creation Racer 447. The crowd at Blois Onzain loved this eccentric Englishman, fluent in French, modest about his achievement and generous in praise of his (French) machine.
From the video, RMH obviously still sorely misses his good Angelo d'Arrigo and thinks the accident he died in was totally avoidable.
Obituary: Angelo d'Arrigo | News | The Guardian
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Just read d'Arrigo's obit there, never heard of him but thank God there are people like that in the world and how sad that he died the way he did. The sort of bloke you wish you had known.
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Interested to hear the range of comments. Personally, as am ex 3axis microlight flyer, I was at annoyed by the references to the unreliable 'lawnmower' engines when in fact Rotax are some of the most reliable around and highly respected. Also by portraying microlights seemingly made from a few bits of scrap iron and string when this is simply not a fact - they made it look too 'gung ho' for me and I don't think it did the Microlight community any favours. If anyone is attracted to microlighting by the portrayal of unregulated and dodgy flying then a few lessons will bring them into reality. Yes, I knew people who flew aircraft less than legal, without radios and doing all sorts of things, but the majority are fliers with reliable equipment and a safe and serious attitude to flying. I did however enjoy the program as a bit of tele and I suppose I have to accept that all people who live in London are not like those in Eastenders
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Hmm. The seatbelt thing cast my mind back to a couple of instances where I have been flying in smooth air then WALLOP from nowhere.
At least it is hard to actually fall out of most fixed wing aircraft.
D.O.
At least it is hard to actually fall out of most fixed wing aircraft.
D.O.
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people who flew aircraft less than legal, without radios
H
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Anybody see the last episode of Earth Flight on BBC1 last Thursday night?
Thought the French Guy who flew his flock of geese from London City Airport with his flexi wing microlight as mother bird was fantastic! Hate to think what could have happened if he dropped the very large camera over the London outskirts!
There is a lot of very positive coverage of Flexi wings at the moment in the media pitty the weather isn't better though to encourage more would be flyers through the flying school doors!
Thought the French Guy who flew his flock of geese from London City Airport with his flexi wing microlight as mother bird was fantastic! Hate to think what could have happened if he dropped the very large camera over the London outskirts!
There is a lot of very positive coverage of Flexi wings at the moment in the media pitty the weather isn't better though to encourage more would be flyers through the flying school doors!
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people who flew aircraft less than legal, without radios
Lest anyone draw the wrong conclusion from this - its perfectly legal to fly aircraft without radios as long as flight is restricted to class G airspace and airfields that are non-radio.
Sorry, that was typographical, I was not suggesting that it was illegal to fly without a radio.
I would add that I have always been of the opinion (being an opinionated bugger) that the days when flying without a radio was considered safe are long past.
Lest anyone draw the wrong conclusion from this - its perfectly legal to fly aircraft without radios as long as flight is restricted to class G airspace and airfields that are non-radio.
Sorry, that was typographical, I was not suggesting that it was illegal to fly without a radio.
I would add that I have always been of the opinion (being an opinionated bugger) that the days when flying without a radio was considered safe are long past.
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I would add that I have always been of the opinion (being an opinionated bugger) that the days when flying without a radio was considered safe are long past.
I suppose it's a bit like mobile phones, you managed quite well without them but now you feel half naked if you don't have it in your pocket.
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I agree that aviation would be a duller place without amiable eccentrics like RMH but the inflight fuel transfer set my teeth on edge as he was probably contravening Article 137 of the ANO which is the catch-all about recklessly or negligently acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft.
people who flew aircraft less than legal, without radios
Lest anyone draw the wrong conclusion from this - its perfectly legal to fly aircraft without radios as long as flight is restricted to class G airspace and airfields that are non-radio.
Sorry, that was typographical, I was not suggesting that it was illegal to fly without a radio.
I would add that I have always been of the opinion (being an opinionated bugger) that the days when flying without a radio was considered safe are long past.
Lest anyone draw the wrong conclusion from this - its perfectly legal to fly aircraft without radios as long as flight is restricted to class G airspace and airfields that are non-radio.
Sorry, that was typographical, I was not suggesting that it was illegal to fly without a radio.
I would add that I have always been of the opinion (being an opinionated bugger) that the days when flying without a radio was considered safe are long past.
Flying through most parts of the UK, without a radio, is legal and safe. There are occasions where you need a radio - but equally it does not stop mountains and clouds flying into you, if the engine stops it doesn't help very much either, and it doesn't tell you where you are most of the time.
Yes, a radio (and its best friend, the transponder) are jolly convenient tools, and make life much easier. In a few times and places they become essential (on the other hand most airfields will accept non-radio traffic so long as they know you're coming). But essential for safety? - no, not really.
G
