Staggerwing tip-up

A view expressed by a friend over here in the US a couple of weeks ago is that he’d rather have his recently-restored vintage aircraft tested by a high-time taildragger / vintage pilot, who has many hours on similar types (although not necessarily the exact type to be tested) than a military-trained test pilot, with high hours predominantly on fast jets, and often with an ego to match the ‘test pilot’ tag.

One well-known vintage aircraft engineer in the UK has on several occasions bemoaned to me the number of vintage aircraft bent by ‘test pilots’ over the years.

This is just the point I’m trying to make.

I only have 31 years hands on & legislation in aviation, with only 20 years on historics. Perhaps I need more time on type?

mick

Canadair – Why should a pilot who has flown 100 hrs with ten on type be any less suitable? There are plenty of test pilots who have ben caught out by unfamiliar types.

“I must say, I have to take issue on one point made regarding “Test pilots” and their experience. They can have all the experience in the world, but if its not on type, they’re no better than the rest of us,”

Sorry to get off topic a bit, but regards that statement, thats exactly WHY a “test pilot” is asked to fly an aircraft.
all of that “experience” is exactly what you need when flying a new or unproven aircraft.

if I apply your logic, are you suggesting that a private pilot with 100 hours total time, of which perhaps 10 is on a Staggerwing ( for example), is the more suitable choice to conduct a potential proving flight on type over another who has never flown a staggerwing, yet may have 2000 + hours in everything from a Pitts to Fast Jets.

and I am not reffering to this particular example as I have no idea what happened, if anything.

sorry but experience does count.

Moocher
I’m sure all will be revealed when an MOR is submitted.

snip “Test pilots” and their experience. They can have all the experience in the world, but if its not on type, they’re no better than the rest of us, a number of very experienced test pilots have bent some very precious aeroplanes over the last 15 – 20 years or so, lets not put them on a pedastal.

snip

mick

Someone has already said that it has nothing to do with the CAA….I never put Test Pilots on a pedestal (and I, as a FTE, work with them!). However, a true test pilot has been through a recognised flight test school (Such as ETPS, which as you may know, is the oldest test pilot and flight test engineer school in the world). You are right, there is no substitute for experience on type, however, if an aircraft needs a flight test or check out, who would you prefer to put in it, a pilot with little or no experience on type or a test pilot? Put simply, if a job needs to be done that requires a calibrate pilot, the test pilot is the chap for the job. Dont forget the FTE though! Aeroplane Monthly’s memorial to test pilots does not seem to remember the countless FTE/FTOs that have been lost too….rant over!

Confused

What is the article in Flyer magazine, about CAA test pilot’s all about anyway. I can’t say I’ve seen it. Has anybody got any details on the aformentioned article or have a copy I can read.

mick

Hope its not serious –

Nothing like being late on parade.

I’ve just read this post and I hope the aeroplane isn’t to badly damaged, when I saw it, last week I think at Duxford, it looked beautiful.

After reading the previous posts in this thread I’m more than a little confused,
had the aeroplane got it’s C of A or was it still undergoing test flights, was a CAA test pilot undertaking these flights, or even the flight on which the incident occured, what damage has the aeroplane sustained. If it nosed over I should think despite the obvious re-shaped prop the engine would need a shock load inspection at the very least.

I must say, I have to take issue on one point made regarding “Test pilots” and their experience. They can have all the experience in the world, but if its not on type, they’re no better than the rest of us, a number of very experienced test pilots have bent some very precious aeroplanes over the last 15 – 20 years or so, lets not put them on a pedastal.

I do hope what ever has happened to this aeroplane come to light, all of us in the industry can learn from others mistakes, it takes a big man (or woman) to admit he (or she) was at fault. it’s a really nice aeroplane, I hope it won’t be out of action for to long

As Beaufighter VI mentioned in the last post,
“Originally Posted by jiffyjoffyjaffy —-
Hi – definately no CAA invovlement in this incident.”

” Welcome to the forum and thanks for confirming the incident. Tell us more!”

mick

Hi – definately no CAA invovlement in this incident.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for confirming the incident. Tell us more!

staggerwing

Hi – definately no CAA invovlement in this incident.

That’s what I was wondering…..as it was at DX only a short time ago it’s happened in the last couple of days…..just thought someone on the Forum might be at wherever location the alleged incident may have occurred…

Has anyone heard anything about an incident involving Staggerwing G-LAJT? Saw this rather smart example at Duxford a week ago and now I hear that it’s been on it’s nose…..hopefully not too serious.

Where did this occur?

A CAA test pilot…..? One that’s qualified on helicopters trying a vertical landing, perchance….? :rolleyes:

Idle speculation chaps….not really a subject to have a crack at the CAA is it?

BTW, qualified test pilots have huge experience and good knowledge of the system under test, but they are human with all that brings. I wish I could look at all the twists and turns in my life and say I was never at fault.

I heard a rumour that it was being flight tested at the time by a CAA Test Pilot…….! 😮

Brings a whole new meaning to Miles McCallum’s article in a recent edition of Flyer magazine about CAA test pilot’s if it’s true!

Anyone know any details?

So not my ‘mate’ who was rumoured to be checking the owner out then?