RE: Kingcobra crash at Biggin
May I question the use of the word ‘hero’ to describe our display pilots of today. I’ve always accepted the definition of a hero as someone who takes courageous action in the face of fear. I don’t think that’s appropriate for a display pilot; exceptionally skilled and gifted, yes, heroic no. I’m sure they would not see themselves as heroes.
As for memorials, I don’t personally need a concrete memorial, I remember them. Fortunately I have only witnessed one accident (Hoof Proudfoot in the P38), but I remember his displays, especially his directing of landing aircraft at Duxford from the end of the runway – I shall never forget those things.
Finally, and without referring especially to either the P38 or P63 accidents, don’t forget that display pilots, however skilled or experienced, can make errors of judgement just like the rest of us, although sadly with severe consequences sometimes. I think that the days of ‘pilot error’ as a default cause for accidents have passed, but sometimes they just get it wrong, but it does not diminish my respect for them.
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