Discussion and speculation is inevitable after any accident, espeically those that occur at public events. The important thing IMHO is to conduct the discussion in a dignified manner so that people close to those lost would not be unduely upset if they were to read what is posted (I know first hand that they will already have more than enough to be upset about).

Wild speculation is not helpful, but balanced and level headed discussion is not a bad thing.

I will use the Firefly accident as an example because I am intimately familiar with that case. I drew my own conclusions to the cause of the accident months before the official report was published. I read a number of eyewitness reports (bearing in mind that most of these were not expert eyewitnesses). I also knew that the RNHF only allowed a limited number of hours on each airframe per year that included crew training and any display flying and transit flights. I also knew that this was Bill Murton’s first display season on the aircraft. Taking this all into consideration, my conclusion was pretty close to what the official verdict was.

Personally I think there should be some form of legislation regarding low level aerobatics. It is a particularly unforgiving activity and should only be conducted by those with the level of experience and training that will minimize the risk involved. I think a first season displaying any aircraft should be flown with higher minimums. At least one mistake high. That will not necessarily please the crowd but it would make the whole activity far safer for all involved. On subsequent display seasons, the pilot could be assesed and if found to be ready, the minimums could be lowered (in steps).

Personally I think the UK has a lot more in common with the USA than it does with Europe. Moving over here was not that much of a culture shock (although there are obviously cultural differences). If we look back over the last 100 years it is obvious who our friends are and who can be relied upon when our back is against the wall.

*This post is a little out of context with the thread after some previous post were moderated – I just wanted to point that out so that I don’t come across as a total loon 😮 *

Here in Ohio we have pretty dramatic thunder storms this time of year. Some are isolated cells, but more often than not there is a line of storms that can be hundreds of miles long (ie rather hard to fly around in a light GA aircraft). These storms can produce very damaging hail, tornados, wind shears, severe turbulance etc etc. Just recently I flew a trip where there was a solid storm line stretching from the North East of Arkansas clear up to Lima Ohio. Fortunately we were flying to Arkansas that day, so we were able to fly ahead of the line on the way down there and then broke through the line to fly behind the line for our return leg. I landed at Lima the other day and the damage from that particular storm front was supprising. About 10 aircraft pretty much torn apart and a T-Hangar building ripped off it’s foundation and totally destroyed (I suspect some of the destroyed aircraft were in this hangar complex).

Ohio has a lot of ‘County Airports’ which typically have runway lengths of 4-5000ft. They are generally fairly well maintained. In addition to the county airports there are a large number of privately owned grass strips of varying quality. Most of these are Prior Permission Required airfields.

Winter flying here has it’s own challenges – icing, snow/ice covered runways etc. We also have the Appalachian Mountains just to the East of us which generate their own weather. The Proximity of Lake Erie generates ‘Lake Effect’ which in the winter is just a giant snow making machine.

Moving West you get into the Great Plains where storms can be extremely severe with high winds, then you hit the Rocky Mountain range which presents it’s own problems.

Florida itself is not sunny and calm all the time (although of course there is some very nice weather to be had there too). Weather there can get pretty severe during the Summer months with tropical storm systems and Hurricanes. Thunderstorms are pretty much a daily event in Florida during the Summer months.
Wall to wall good weather? I think not. You have to be VERY aware of the weather when flying in the States, mainly because it can change so quickly depending on the area you are flying in, the time of day and the season.

Here is a selection of photos I have taken showing some of the different conditions (and terrain) I have flown through/over during my time here.

I think a lot of you who bash FAA training and flying over in the States do not take into account that the training is geared towards flying here. Of course it is not the same as CAA training. It is a different environment afterall (both physically and politically).

Back on the topic of Lundy, the fly in there looks like a lot of fun!. I used to be based at RAF Chivenor. Lundy was a prominant feature on the horizon whenever I walked on the beach in North Devon. I never did make the trip over there though.

So eloquently put Robert. I do have to admit I landed on my feet here. When I moved over here in 2002 I got a job at the local airport as a line guy while working on my flight training. The company I work for runs the FBO as well as a charter operation. Once I had my Commercial Multi-Engine Instrument tickets (in April 2004) I started flying the King Air’s as a Co-Pilot (with 297 hours total time in my logbook). I got my High Performance endorsement in a C182 and my High Altitude endorsement in a King Air C90B (that was a fun flight). It is fair to say that I have skipped several steps in my development as a pilot. I have very little high performance piston time and I have not done the CFI route. Still, I think I have been extraordinarily lucky to find a job like this with such a great company, great boss and co-workers. So Robert, find an operation you want to work for, get a job with them (any job that gets your foot in the door) and make sure that you impress everyone there with a good attitude and friendly manner. The rest should fall into place if you are with the right company.

Very nice photo’s. The Sea Fury certainly stirs up some good memories.