Fireworks on display aircraft
 

Is it just me or is lunacy to display a glider or motorglider etc at dusk with fireworks hanging off the wings? I'm very surprised to see the CAA allow this sort of thing - it could surely turn a small mishap into a potential disaster?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XXfLcN9r3U

That proves it, one of the best flying videos for quite some time.

Fats

Not sure it's all that hazardous. I'm fairly confident that the installation(s) will be such that the 'fire' is kept away from the airframe.

The thought of landing a glider at night scared me more than the fireworks.

At least there isn't any Avgas in the wings.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWJIeGMUl6U

Tecnam UK (and the Tecnam factory) worked with Aerobility, the CAA and Gama Engineering to mod a P2006T for the 2012 London Paralympic opening ceremony.

Bit of the flypast shown at the beginning of this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9ySg_u3Nn4

We try to keep it as safe as we can, we love doing it, the crowds love to see something new, The CAA are writing the book as we go forward into the next display season. we have, as a team, had 99 % positive feed back from our displays. If we get the odd whinge from the fun police, we can live with it. :) Tim Dews. The other half of AEROSPARX.
P.S.
Have you seen the boat that rocked, Graham ? because you do remind me of someone from that film.

Tim, you and Guy do a magnificent display! I wish we could afford you at Shenners.....would you like to do a practice session between June 23 and July 3 during our regionals????

I can dream....

Mary

It's just you...

Do you have a brother called 'Hangershuffle'...?? :ugh:

I'm sure you do.

Despite the ad hominem dig which I'll ignore, I'm glad you replied as I have some questions for you, the subject matter expert :ok:

What interests me is how this is organisationally covered? The CAA must operate some form of safety management system of which you the display team / pilot falls into. Which would mean someone somewhere has done a proper risk assessment which covers the addition of fireworks?

The probability of an engine failure mid display is probably not much greater than for a transit flight in normal GA ops, i.e., the hazard is the same but the risk is potentially greater when you add low level and dusk conditions. And lit fireworks. So let's say the unusual happens and it goes quiet up front. Despite being a skygod, you collide with something unseen on the ground (or worse) during your deadstick landing and the lit pyro breaks free and sets fire to something / someone.

How are you then covered? Does your insurance specifically cover you? If so, then the pyro installation must be signed off by EASA (£££) or the LAA (£)? And does the aircraft manufacturer approve its product for this usage? Does the firework manufacturer approve its product for this usage?

Thanks for asking but no. I tell you what though, at some point someone somewhere will actually be the devils advocate rather than just playing it.

The recent AAIB Shoreham Hunter update regarding out of date seat carts appears arcane but hints at the investigative depth at play.

Nothing fly's in the UK air show system with out being signed off by the governing body. In our case, EASA and the CAA. Our team is sponsored by Sydney Charles aviation insurance, so we are covered up to the hilt, as for the fire works, they are hand made for us and burn for 60 seconds. our min fire height is 1000 feet, so if the engine stopped as we fired the pyros, we would still be above 700 feet as they burnt out. In still air at 28 to 1 we can glide 5 miles from 1000 feet. Nothing is with out risk and we keep it to a minimum.


If you have any other questions, Email me.

Is it not blatant ad hominem to accuse people effectively of unsafe practice without knowing or researching the first thing about how they go about their business? Or knowing what hazard analyses, risk mitigations or regulatory clearances are in place?

I think it is.

Not really. Blatant ad hominem would be to incorrectly accuse someone of.. well, blatant ad hominem I suppose.

Trouble is, I couldn't find what hazard analyses, risk mitigations or regulatory clearances were in place given no published guidelines exist, so I assumed it must be lunacy.

Thankfully Tim has put my mind at rest - it's clearly a robust and well thought through operation, a veritable swiss watch! Tim - and indeed anyone else - please do accept my apologies if any offence was caused!

And that is really the problem, had you instead assumed that it was a well thought out operation and asked the question framed in that way people on here might have a higher regard for you and your question! As it is you came over as someone trying to stir things and cause problems!

Thing is some of the online footage available doesn't paint a particularly safe picture. Was I trying to stir things up? Your damn right I was - we often see candid debate regarding accidents that unfortunately occur but 'we' appear less candid when we see footage / witness things going on that raise questions - questions some people admit to possessing pre-crunch. 'It' was only a matter of time etc..