View Poll Results: What would you like to see happen to this pilot?
No harm done. Hope he's not traced and gets away with it.
267
59.07%
Hope he's traced, prosecuted and fined.
75
16.59%
He should be fined and have his licence pulled for a short period
85
18.81%
He should lose his licence for ever.
25
5.53%
Voters: 452. This poll is closed
Naughty, naughty! Helicopter pilot's bridge stunt
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Oops!
Sorry Happy Landing! Deleted your post while trying (and failing) to get your link up. Lucky I'd made a copy.
Sorry Happy Landing! Deleted your post while trying (and failing) to get your link up. Lucky I'd made a copy.
This is the link to the news wire on the Two Spanish Plank Flyers:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3043308.stm
Got away with it apparently. CAA taking no action !
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3043308.stm
Got away with it apparently. CAA taking no action !
PPRuNe Enigma
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I love the reported eyewitness statement:
"I didn't see the whites of the pilot's eyes but I did see his hat and his goggles."
... and his handlebar moustache, presumably accompanied by a shout of "chocks away !" or "wizard prang, Ginger !"
"I didn't see the whites of the pilot's eyes but I did see his hat and his goggles."
... and his handlebar moustache, presumably accompanied by a shout of "chocks away !" or "wizard prang, Ginger !"
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That reminds me of a pilot who flew through the Arc de Triomphe in the mid-80s...
Now where were we? Ah right; responsibility ....
Now where were we? Ah right; responsibility ....
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The flight of that Rallye under the Arc de Triomphe was described in detail by Bernard Chabbert in Pilot. Alas, it was so long ago that I no longer have the magazine to hand. What I do remember is that the chap in question researched the venue thoroughly beforehand, had planned escape routes and cut-off points where he would abort the run if he felt anything was amiss, it was recorded by a television crew (the Pilot article had stills from the film), and - as far as I can remember - the court regarded it as a genuine aviation exploit. I don't remember him losing his licence.
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Just seen footage of the two Spanish planks going under the bridge. 1st one was established in level flight at about 15 foot and seemed well controlled. The second one dived under and seemed to clear the bridge by very little. 1st was as safe as it could have been, the 2nd was madness.
Demonstrates that flying under bridges can be safe (ish) when the pilot sets about it in the right way and how dangerous it is when a pilot just seems to blag it without a great deal of fore thought.
Demonstrates that flying under bridges can be safe (ish) when the pilot sets about it in the right way and how dangerous it is when a pilot just seems to blag it without a great deal of fore thought.
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Hotel worker Alewyn Rens, who was trying out his new video camera, caught the latest incident on film.
He said: "It could have been very dangerous but I really enjoyed it, I'm quite into planes."
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Hi Kos:
If you refer to quotes in my replies, please extend them enough to keep things straight. I believe I wrote " it SEEMS" the CAA, etc.
The way I read it in your post it is a factual statement, which it was not...
About the Bridge pilots judment: I would say his judgement is pretty well on from a flying skill point of view (maybe even twice!) as he made it unscattered through it.
No question, he was completely off by ANY other standard:
Bad publicity for GA generally.
Bad example for other pilots.
Breaching a restricted area except for an emergency is not considered good airmanship either.
But as mentioned various times in this thread, even pilots whom one would like to consider being professional to the core strike a stupid string at times.
The EMS pilot in Germany - the Army pilots in GB chopping trees mentioned in this thread. I guess there are plenty of unknown cases, that just got away...
Obviously there is something to learn FOR INSTRUCTORS here too. They are the first ones to instill certain behavior when it comes to flying. One way would be to show a Student (at some advanced level) how to enjoy some of the fun without endangering others, himself or braking rules. Lowflying is fun, but do it ONLY where it is safe.
This way the urge to do seemingly fun stuff does not automatically lead to illegal and/or dangerous and stupid behavior.
Unfortunately Bridges seem to have a pull that certain people cannot resist...
3top
Just read the report about the spanish guys.
I am really surprised on the CAA stand on this!! Does not reflect the general opinion about them at all!
I guess I owe them a big apology!!
However if this keeps on going, I guess the CAA has no joice than to act and set an example!
3top
If you refer to quotes in my replies, please extend them enough to keep things straight. I believe I wrote " it SEEMS" the CAA, etc.
The way I read it in your post it is a factual statement, which it was not...
About the Bridge pilots judment: I would say his judgement is pretty well on from a flying skill point of view (maybe even twice!) as he made it unscattered through it.
No question, he was completely off by ANY other standard:
Bad publicity for GA generally.
Bad example for other pilots.
Breaching a restricted area except for an emergency is not considered good airmanship either.
But as mentioned various times in this thread, even pilots whom one would like to consider being professional to the core strike a stupid string at times.
The EMS pilot in Germany - the Army pilots in GB chopping trees mentioned in this thread. I guess there are plenty of unknown cases, that just got away...
Obviously there is something to learn FOR INSTRUCTORS here too. They are the first ones to instill certain behavior when it comes to flying. One way would be to show a Student (at some advanced level) how to enjoy some of the fun without endangering others, himself or braking rules. Lowflying is fun, but do it ONLY where it is safe.
This way the urge to do seemingly fun stuff does not automatically lead to illegal and/or dangerous and stupid behavior.
Unfortunately Bridges seem to have a pull that certain people cannot resist...
3top
Just read the report about the spanish guys.
I am really surprised on the CAA stand on this!! Does not reflect the general opinion about them at all!
I guess I owe them a big apology!!
However if this keeps on going, I guess the CAA has no joice than to act and set an example!
3top
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While not having anything to say other than repeating some comments already made I though I could add a piece of video , that is well worth a look.
Last edited by Heliport; 5th Jul 2003 at 16:26.
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3top
You can be sure this was a 'practical' decision by the CAA, not a generous one. The pilots couldn't be forced to stay in the UK while the matter was investigated, no guarantee they'd return, foreign licences not issued by the CAA etc etc
The CAA prosecutes British pilots for far less serious things than this.
You can be sure this was a 'practical' decision by the CAA, not a generous one. The pilots couldn't be forced to stay in the UK while the matter was investigated, no guarantee they'd return, foreign licences not issued by the CAA etc etc
The CAA prosecutes British pilots for far less serious things than this.
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Since we're already at it...
... what about the Boeing test pilot that barrel-rolled the prototype Dash 80 N70707 at a rather low altitude (400 feet)? Now he's seen as a hero (kinda).
more here
7 7 7 7
... what about the Boeing test pilot that barrel-rolled the prototype Dash 80 N70707 at a rather low altitude (400 feet)? Now he's seen as a hero (kinda).
more here
7 7 7 7
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And one with the CAA blessing?
Here is a photo of a Bell 47 flying under the Crumlin viaduct in South Wales, during the making of the film "Arabesque in 1965". Built in 1857 Crumlin viaduct was the highest in Britain standing at 255 feet AGL. Sadly, shortly after this scene was taken, the viaduct was demolished.
Last edited by HALF A PILOT; 6th Jul 2003 at 02:35.
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Heliport & co.
What in your own opinion would a "typical" CAA action be? I am not too familiar with the CAA regs anymore ...
What in your own opinion would a "typical" CAA action be? I am not too familiar with the CAA regs anymore ...
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Bird avoidance.
I keep wondering about the lightplane pilot getting away with the "Has to avoid birds, so must dive under bridge"- story.
Same defence must/could apply, if the helicopter pilot is found.
The French and Spanish pilots. Are they only doing this "on tour", or is it everyday happenings at home?
According to the link Tex Johnston did "aileron roll" the Dash 80, and not "barrel LOOP!" it. No wonder the onlookers needed heart medicine. 
I keep wondering about the lightplane pilot getting away with the "Has to avoid birds, so must dive under bridge"- story.
Same defence must/could apply, if the helicopter pilot is found.
The French and Spanish pilots. Are they only doing this "on tour", or is it everyday happenings at home?
According to the link Tex Johnston did "aileron roll" the Dash 80, and not "barrel LOOP!" it.
No wonder the onlookers needed heart medicine.
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Nothing new under the sun ...............
WW1 ace (9 credited kills), Maj. Christopher Draper, DFC continued flying after the war as a stunt pilot at airshows and for the movie industry.
In 1930, as a protest against the abysmal way the government had treated its war veterans, he undertook to fly under all the bridges on the River Thames in London. On the day, he managed only two bridges because of adverse winds, but the event was captured on film.
In 1953 he decided to finish the work he'd started nearly 25 years earlier. Protesting once again over the same issue, he was able to complete almost all of them.
This time, the authorities decided to prosecute him.
Here's the court summons, and a promotional poster circulated at the time.
The Major's license was revoked.
He died in 1979, after a long and very colourful life. In his time he maintained one of the oldest and longest running pilot's licenses in history (Royal Aero Club certificate #646), and flew everything from Bristol Boxkites to Hawker Hurricanes and Glostor Meteors.
And before anyone asks ....... No, I did not represent him! I'm not that old.
Wish I had though - it would have been an honour.
WW1 ace (9 credited kills), Maj. Christopher Draper, DFC continued flying after the war as a stunt pilot at airshows and for the movie industry.
In 1930, as a protest against the abysmal way the government had treated its war veterans, he undertook to fly under all the bridges on the River Thames in London. On the day, he managed only two bridges because of adverse winds, but the event was captured on film.
In 1953 he decided to finish the work he'd started nearly 25 years earlier. Protesting once again over the same issue, he was able to complete almost all of them.
This time, the authorities decided to prosecute him.
Here's the court summons, and a promotional poster circulated at the time.
The Major's license was revoked.
He died in 1979, after a long and very colourful life. In his time he maintained one of the oldest and longest running pilot's licenses in history (Royal Aero Club certificate #646), and flew everything from Bristol Boxkites to Hawker Hurricanes and Glostor Meteors.
And before anyone asks ....... No, I did not represent him! I'm not that old.
Wish I had though - it would have been an honour.
Last edited by Flying Lawyer; 7th Jul 2003 at 05:00.
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Heliport
I am curious how severe the CAA is. As a former assistant chief pilot in the US, I had to stick my head out for one or two nut-cases. I discovered however, that the FAA can be quite reasonable (after I mentioned my form of punishment though
)
... but I have an idea now, after what flying lawyer posted
I am curious how severe the CAA is. As a former assistant chief pilot in the US, I had to stick my head out for one or two nut-cases. I discovered however, that the FAA can be quite reasonable (after I mentioned my form of punishment though
)... but I have an idea now, after what flying lawyer posted
Last edited by Squawk7777; 8th Jul 2003 at 01:18.
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Ok, ok, here's only the part I can mention without being charged with uncool crimes against flight students.
As a matter of fact one student was low-flying above a lake. Approach called the flight school advising us that they had lost radar contact... and when he came he downplayed the whole incident. So ...
knowing this guy to be a party animal I scheduled every class at 9 o'clock in the morning Mon-Sun. Additionally, he had to write down some FARs a couple of times (I applied my school experience here ), plus cleaning my desk etc.
It worked, and he turned out to be a very good pilot.
7 7 7 7
As a matter of fact one student was low-flying above a lake. Approach called the flight school advising us that they had lost radar contact...
and when he came he downplayed the whole incident. So ... knowing this guy to be a party animal I scheduled every class at 9 o'clock in the morning Mon-Sun. Additionally, he had to write down some FARs a couple of times (I applied my school experience here
), plus cleaning my desk etc.It worked, and he turned out to be a very good pilot.
7 7 7 7