Dennis crashes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 768
Likes: 45
From: Montreal
Lake elevation is around 4500'. Elevation where he was performing is probably a little higher than that. Daytime temps in the 32-33C range.
I thought the same looking at the video clip: never got fast enough on his low pass, pull up from too low an altitude (about 50') to do a loop, never got enough altitude, completed the flip at the top and then didn't have enough altitude, power, or speed to arrest the descent. A little surprised that someone with Kenyon's airshow experience would have got caught like that. Though the obits are full of good airshow pilots that got caught out. They interviewed him at the end of the video after the crash, so he's thankfully OK, though naturally disappointed. I think at sea level and cooler temp when the 300 isn't running like its got a flat cylinder he wouldn't have had a problem. Too bad.
I'd be just a tad concerned about lending out a heliocopter for manouvers that could compromise a C of A renewal. Not a problem anymore in this case, instead the owner who has to convince the insurance company to buy his helicopter.
I thought the same looking at the video clip: never got fast enough on his low pass, pull up from too low an altitude (about 50') to do a loop, never got enough altitude, completed the flip at the top and then didn't have enough altitude, power, or speed to arrest the descent. A little surprised that someone with Kenyon's airshow experience would have got caught like that. Though the obits are full of good airshow pilots that got caught out. They interviewed him at the end of the video after the crash, so he's thankfully OK, though naturally disappointed. I think at sea level and cooler temp when the 300 isn't running like its got a flat cylinder he wouldn't have had a problem. Too bad.
I'd be just a tad concerned about lending out a heliocopter for manouvers that could compromise a C of A renewal. Not a problem anymore in this case, instead the owner who has to convince the insurance company to buy his helicopter.
Last edited by malabo; 14th June 2008 at 18:39.
DRK
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
Likes: 3
From: Iceland
Wow! after seeing the video it is remarkable that Dennis walked out ok, and yet another testimony about how strong airframe the 300 really is.
D.K. hope this will not stop you from keep going on with your great display.
D.K. hope this will not stop you from keep going on with your great display.
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Kaplan, Louisiana
The whole routine can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZILBd-mNI
It's only a couple minutes long.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwZILBd-mNI
It's only a couple minutes long.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: UK
What about the 46 hour PPL who seeks to emulate the venerable Denis and kills himself in the process. Surely it is time for someone from the Palace of Those Who Must Be Obeyed to breathe gently in Denis`s ear to cool it and do something within the aircraft`s flight manual limitations for a change.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: Abingdon uk
Emulating Dennis
Snarlie - Does that mean we need to get rid of the Red Arrows and all the other display teams.
Dennis has a skill that he has displayed for many years - any low hour PPl who is tempted to copy Dennis is probably dead already from checking if a mains cable is live by touching it or getting into a Lions cage to see if it is hungry.
R
Dennis has a skill that he has displayed for many years - any low hour PPl who is tempted to copy Dennis is probably dead already from checking if a mains cable is live by touching it or getting into a Lions cage to see if it is hungry.
R
Gnome de PPRuNe
Joined: Jan 2002
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 15,187
Likes: 1,200
From: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Dannis, any landing you walk away from... so very glad you are OK.
Snarlie, any crazy flying act - indeed any act at all - at an airshow is open to copying by the undisciplined and inexperienced (and terminally stupid) - so, hey, let's just ban airshows, eh?
Snarlie, any crazy flying act - indeed any act at all - at an airshow is open to copying by the undisciplined and inexperienced (and terminally stupid) - so, hey, let's just ban airshows, eh?
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: UK
You will find that the Red Arrows along with most other professional display teams operate their aircraft within the operating limitations of their aircraft. Since when has the 300 been cleared for inverted aerobatic manoeuvres at low level.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 650
Likes: 10
From: England
Snarlie
AFAIK, Dennis is fully certified by the appropriate bodies to perform the displays that he does.
If you don't like that then fine, but this thread is not the best one to make your thoughts known on the matter - start a new one if you want some discussion on the issue.
AFAIK, Dennis is fully certified by the appropriate bodies to perform the displays that he does.
If you don't like that then fine, but this thread is not the best one to make your thoughts known on the matter - start a new one if you want some discussion on the issue.
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: N20,W99
Snarlie, that wasn't a smart thing to say.
It wasn't the flying outside limitations that got him, it was a manuver miscalculation, and that can happen to anybody even when flying within limitations.
I'm glad he's ok, and if he ever reads it, he has to know he's got a Fan Club in Mexico.
It wasn't the flying outside limitations that got him, it was a manuver miscalculation, and that can happen to anybody even when flying within limitations.
I'm glad he's ok, and if he ever reads it, he has to know he's got a Fan Club in Mexico.