Denny Dobson, Flying Legend?
 

Have you ever seen a Denny Dobson display? What did you think of it? I'm curious...doesn't matter if you're an aerobatic ace, or an airshow spectator...I'm just wondering if I'm missing the point of this fellow. I know that ego is a part of a display pilot's character, but our Denny really takes the biscuit. He's continually touted as an aerobatic legend, yet his displays in his blue and yellow Extra300 don't seem to me to be that accomplished....which is not a major problem in itself, since he appears to be safe...How does he stand up though, when compared to pilots like Brian Lecomber, Nigel Lamb, Will Curtis, Alan Cassidy,
Mark Jeffries, Diana Britten, Steve Jones, Paul Bonhomme etc...
I only ask because of all the hype that surrounds this guy. It's incredible , really it is. I know he was "self-taught", which may explain some of his flying, and I've heard that he doesn't charge for his displays, which I'm not sure I believe, because he does seem to work quite hard at it.
I guess the point I'm making here is that if he's as good as he thinks he is, why does he always seem to be going on about it? The best pilots I know just get on with it and let their flying do the talking..if anything, they're highly self critical. If he's not as good as he thinks he is...well, that's another problem altogether.

Would you by any chance have an axe to grind? Why the griping?

I have never heard of him - but then again one day I will!

Maybe I'm a bad person. Maybe Denny is really recapturing the spirit of the barnstormers...but I don't think I have a particular axe to grind. I'm just an aerobatics pilot who has flown in a few contests finds it mildly irritating to hear someone who is not that proficient to be hailed as the finest performer in the country...He's certainly industrious though, can't fault him for that.

I doubt that the barnstorming days can be revived but there are some very good aeros pilots around today.

He will have to prove himself to his peers before he can be called great, or even good, time will tell.

Fortunate enough to briefly meet him at RAF Waddington airshow in the hosting tent after the show, seemed to be a genuinly nice bloke, who works hard on his displays, didnt get round to talking about it as other men in green bags wanted to chat(eg nudge away the bloke NOT in a green bag-moi). My point is that, although the bloke is indeed a very good display pilot, and somewhat of a legend within the display community, perhaps he is not yet worthy of such an accolade on a national or global level! Wouldnt have minded a go in the extra tho ;)

Safe flying guys,

Ed

Have a look at THIS

I booked Denny for an event my wife was running and I can assure you he does charge for his display. It was basically a non-aviation audience and without exception they all said it was the best display they had seen, so that says he is satisfying one audience. It must be tough to make a living out of aerobatic flying so I guess some self-promotion comes with the territory. He also did a corporate day for us so it is possible that you can get airbourne in the Extra. By the way Waldo what do you do that matches his low-level, high-speed ribbon cut?

I've seen Denny fly and I can honestly say it was one of the best displays I've ever seen. The ribbon cut is awesome, and the general interaction between himself and the audience makes the display more entertaining (through the self-commentary). His maneuvres may not be spot on to a critical eye (I don't know) but his displays are certainly exciting and this is what the public wants, and if the public is happy than surely this makes it easier for all of us involved in aviation.

Just my thoughts!

Well, I saw him flying at Shoreham today, and in fairness his display seemed much improved. He's winding the Extra up a bit now, and doing a few gyroscopic manoeuvres. If he's liked by the public, maybe that's the answer. Perhaps I've been spending too much time on the competition scene, where we spend much of our time critiqueing individual figures...still as to the ribbon cut, I'd be more impressed if it was flown inverted...

....ah I don't know some people are never pleased:p . Next news you'll be saying you want to see the utterly butterlies cutting the ribbons with scissors!!

What would the wright brothers say if they heard us now, just flying for them (and us I suppose!!) was a massive break through now we're talking about cutting ribbons inverted, what will it be in the next 100 years, cutting ribbons with light sabers!!

Cheerio!:p :p :p :

Good spot Waldo. Wondered the very same myself.

Agree that the aerobatics are OKish but IMHO a bit rough around the edges. Compared to Brian Lecomber, Nigel Lamb, Will Curtis, Richard Pickin, Xavier De Lapparent, Pete Kynsey, John Harper, Alan Cassidy, Paul Bonhomme, Steve Jones, Mark Jefferies, Gennady Elfimov, Nikolai Timofeev, Diana Britten and quite a few others, it's not very polished! Yet through relentless self-promotion, and sponsors (albeit minor) who insist on using the Extra 300 as a flying hoarding, he'll continue appearing at displays.

It's a crazy world we live in! :confused:

Ok Chaps, so who is the best aerobatic display pilot on the scene today?

in terms of hard core aerobatics:

Jim LeRoy,
www.bulldogairshows.com

there is not even a close second!

Sean D. Tucker - the SkyGod!:cool:

Seen him at Oshkosh (two years running) and he's utterly amazing. He's not the most technically accomplished but he wins the crowd like nobody else. His displays just flow. And on the ground - his image is so cheesy you just HAVE to grin; George Hamilton tan, carefully bouffant, white grin......

Of course, there's something about a Pitts being flown well that looks so right!:ok:

Will Curtis.

Definately.

tKF

For accurate aerobatic flying any of the crop of current competition pilots beat Denny Dobson hands down. Airshow aeros, for pure smoothness any of the Brietling Fighter pilots and Pete Kinsey. In terms of light aeros I think that the MicroLease Extra duo and Matadors are way better in presentation and technique than any of the others. That said, Denny Dodson does a great deal to promote display flying in a positive and enjoyable light. The majority watching are interested in only the spectacle and in this area you have to give him top marks.

Its a bit like comparing apples and pears.
Denny is a display pilot whose success can be judged on whether the public are impressed and whether the display organisation book him for next year. Many of the others named are competition pilots whose goal is to impress judges and win medals/titles. The two types of aerobatic flying are not the same.

If our competition aerobatic pilots are so good, how come they don't do better in the World Aerobatic Championships. Is it lack of funds, biased judges or the style of UK aeros? I have to say that none of the UK guys got close to de Lapparent on content or style the last time I saw him at North Weald for the Aerofair.

Can't say I've ever heard any hype about him beyond the commentary that every act has, and he's probably the most genuine, easy-going and friendly pilot I've ever met - no prima donna stuff at all, and he is endlessly self-critical which all rather begs the question of why you, Waldo, are slagging the bloke off so much when anybody's who ever actually spoken to him comes away with entirely the opposite impression.

I booked him to fly a bunch of mates at my stag do and none of them will ever forget an incredibly entertaining day out - though one of them has put "Bring it on" in his book of phrases-never-to-be-spoken-to-an-aerobatic-pilot. He even joined us in the pub for the evening. And then I booked him to fly at my wedding too - and the crowd thought he was brilliant.

Still, maybe you're just ticked off he did 4 ribbons at Shoreham rather than 3 you expected eh. :{ :ok: :p

The very very best I have seen, in terms of entertainment, is Jurgis Kairys in his 450hp Sukhoi 26M. Absolutely mindbogglingly good. How is 16 consecutive snap rolls in the downwards vertical stopping precisely on his intended exit line? Just for example.... or a "cobra" on take off from 20 feet ...

Technically, Xavier du Lapperent may be more accomplished, but IMHO, Jurgis flies a display that is more entertaining to the general public - Xavier appeals to the more aviation / aerobatically minded audience.

Shame that Jurgis is not often seen in the UK - a bit of a hike from his base in Lithuania. Storming aeroplane though. Spins a huge 4 bladed prop and has to be the ultimate SU26.

Pete Kynsey has got to be the best all-rounder. Very good competition aeros, and apart from Neil Williams, the highest placed UK pilot (I think) in the World Championships since 1970. His display aerobatics are legendary. Saw him display a Harvard in the 1980s and everybody at the show just stood there awestruck! Smooth, flowing and perfectly displayed. And to see him display the Bucker Jungmann is something else. Regular practice sessions at Headcorn brings the airfield to a standstill while everyone watches..PK could aerobat a horse & cart and still make it look good!

But then again, Paul Bonhomme, Brian Lecomber, Nigel Lamb, Will Curtis, Mark Jefferies, Tom Cassells, Richard Pickin, Steve Jones are all outstanding pilots in their own right.

:ok:

I also saw Denny at Shoreham this weekend, and the ribbon cutting piece is a fantastic thing to watch, and clearly the crowd enjoyed it too. However it seemed to me that Denny doesn't seem to throw the aircraft around the sky quite as much as others.

I've met Will Curtiss on a number of occassions and his displays always leave me amazed at what he can do. He's a real nice guy to talk to as well - a top bloke!

Aero display pilots
 

Through being involved with an aviation mag and an airfield where we have our own air show and also host the stop over for a sea front display I get to know and watch a number of the displays. Quite often I have to tread carefully to avoid upsetting people as there are some big personality clashes out there but my own perspective is that anyone who is out there trying to make a living out of displaying aircraft in flight should be applauded whether they are giving a technically superb display or leaning more towards entertainment.

Denny was the subject at the start of this thread and he generates quite a bit of reaction on the circuit. I have flown with him and would again. His tail up arrival is entertaining as is his ribbon cutting display. I put him in the entertainer category and a hard worker.

Also entertaining are the guys who fly the Utterly Stearmen. Martin and Mike are not going to win awards for their extreme aeros during the display but they do know how to entertain the crowd and work hard for the sponsor.

Slightly different is the show put on by Will Curtis in the Sukhoi. The gyro manouvres are more interesting to a technical audience.

What I have seen as an attitude is that these guys don't claim to be superior. They don't pretend that they are better than the competition guys but just don't have time to compete. They do a different job.

My vote for best still goes to Dennis Kenyon. An unassuming guy who can make a helicopter do things I wish I could have the nerve to try.

I am amazed that Denny has attracted so much attention on this thread! I saw him fly this weekend and as far as I can see he puts on a good show. To compare him to others is pointless he is an able display pilot and a great showman.

For those purists out there the glider display was outstanding this weekend at Shoreham. Sadly I do not remember the pilots name but he stole the show as far as I am concerned. Running a close second was Tom Maloney in the Strike Master who is one of aviations gentlemen and puts on a stunning display.

The instigator of this thread seems to take exception to the term legend! In my experience most legends have a habit of being dead! In DD’s case it is showmanship nothing more so don’t make a meal of it.

For me the consummate display pilots were and are Duane Cole and Bob Hoover and one must not forget Ray Hanna. There are so many other great pilots on and off the display circuit some have been listed by others on this thread. Denny is an outstanding showman and the public like his display! So what’s the problem?

Best bit of advice I heard regarding display flying was keep it simple, keep it safe. So if Denny does not push his aeroplane or himself to the limit and manages to entertain the public he has got it about right in my opinion.
:ok:

Whats the Beef?

He's enjoying himself and fortunate enough to get paid for it.



Here is his site

http://www.dennydobsonaeros.demon.co.uk/

He certainly doesn't seem to be willy waving!

Im sure you would not complain if you had a sponsored extra 300 i know i would not.....:E

Denny
 

My company was the sole sponsor of an Extra last year.

The pilot was new to the scene and no great shakes.

So what?

An aerobatic plane is a great billboard for you products, most especially if you have a commentator on the ground. They will get the sponsors name and business mentioned in every other breath if they're good.

So, speaking as a sponsor, it doesn't matter a stuff how good the pilot is as long as - your company name is in big bright letters, the crowd know what you do and you get overhead as many crowds as possible in the season. All displays were provided at my companies expense. I was happy to do it.

All the pilot needs to do is a few loops, rolls and tumbles and make plenty of smoke and noise.

Denny Dobson has a most impressive story to tell as far as the promotion of his sponsors is concerned.

As a business tool then, he is top shelf.

He also happens to be a display pilot who does lots of the aforementioned things really well and adds his own stamp to it - including loooaaads of noise!

The crowds love him - it doesn't matter a stuff if other pilots are crticial of his manouvres.

Maybe they aren't as succesful as him in achieving the ultimate gaol of any aerobatic pilot and that is to do it for a living. What better than to fly your @ss off in a plane that somebody else is funding and paying you to do it as well!

Fair play to the bloke and much respect. His is a great story.

Ok, he won't win many trophy's but, hey, so what? That ain't his bag.

I bet he is chuckling all the way to the bank at these posts!


HP

Hairy

Sponsor me the yaks noisy and Guinness won't!:E

Not slagging anyone off, DamienB, just generating a bit of discussion...Ok point made and taken. Denny the aerial entertainer. He's certainly flying a more polished display this year...who knows, next year we may see lomcevaks. Anyway, my girlfriend thought his display was good, and she's not an easy one to impress...

As I recall last year was his first in the Extra!:ok:

not by some margin

Have a look here at Patty Wagstaff.

Strange, but the last time I saw a video of Patty doing rolls in her Extra she was a brunette!

First woman to win the US Nats.

I have to disagree!! The Geese stole the Shoreham Airshow!

I wonder about the legality of hopping pax who have bid at auction or have been promised a ride by the sponsors. As I understand it, DD has a PPL.


Quite enjoy his airshow - especially that "swooping" maneouver where he exercises the prop pitch control to add more noise!

Stik

Fair enough I thought he was still flying the S1 the year before last at Shoreham time does fly!;)

Haven't seen Denny perform for a number of years so won't comment on his abilities at present. He might not pass muster at a competition but if the crowd at a display likes him that's all that matters.

One thing that does puzzle me.....why does everyone make such a big deal about cutting a ribbon? Along with flour bombing, spot landings, balloon bursting, etc, a ribbon cut was always part of the competitions that we held at Netherthorpe every year back in the late eighties/early nineties. The ribbon wasn't on twenty foot high poles either.....we just took it in turns to stand either side of the runway and hold it up!

Sour grapes! We live in a free world, free market and the guy is successfully making a living at what he wants to do. What's wrong with that, even if the aerobatics pursits are a bit sniffy?

Give him a break.

QDM

PPL - Passengers
 

Hi Stik,

As far as I understand it -

No problem to take the Sponsors customers for a ride.

As far as 'prize/ charity flights' are concerned, the CAA require the pilot to fill a form in before granting an exemption.

Maybe somebody in the know will confirm?

HP

I probably need to get out more to go and play!

But here goes as requested from the CAA Website

Having done the Burnt Children's Club flying day last week at Bourn (which was a tremendous success again) I know that even if you don't raise money teh CAA 'like to see that you comply with their guidance'

For which there is an AIC but can not put my hand on that just now.

FD

Hairy/FD

my mind is at rest - thanks chaps!

Stik

I don't find his displays particularily impressive when they are conducted at less than 200ft over the top of my house. What would be impressive is if he went away and read the air navigation order particularily the section on the 500ft rule.

I live in an area that covers about half a million acres of clear open space, no need for him to practice over our rooftops

As a pilot I find his behaviour reprehensible, it reflects badly on all of us. As a result of this my neighbours all think that us pilots are ignorant aerobats who have no respect for life or property.

I would expect a "legend" to conduct himself in an appropriate manner?

:(