Top Letters And Comments, May 22, 2020

Emergency Landings: Beach Or Breakers?

Nice video. We just discussed this at our flight school–we fly out of W29 and the end of the runway is the Chesapeake Bay. Your video helps.

Beach landings are as old as powered aviation. The Wright brothers settled on Kitty Hawk based on wind tables they obtained from the weather service. However, a real plus for Kitty Hawk was that it was sand. Better to land on sand than rocks and dirt.

Vince M.

Great video (as always).

I had often thought about these silent emergency ldgs like on a beach, golf course, etc. But how can you warn someone that you are about to hit them?

Believe it or not, I carried an air horn which is VERY LOUD. These are made for boaters – compressed air in a freon can.

Bob B.

Wow. What an awesome training video Paul. The photography really brings home a lot of your points. I will be passing this on to some CFIs. Thank you.

William B.

Drone’s Blue Angels Close-Up Slammed

Unfortunately, rules are only effective for honest people who actually follow the rules. Adding more restrictive rules will only punish the people who use their drones in compliance with the regulations. Every state and municipality has laws making it illegal to shine laser pointers at aircraft, but there are still several cases each week of someone doing it. Even if drone manufacturers build safeguards into their drones to limit altitude or prevent flying in restricted airspace, it is relatively easy to build your own drone from scratch, thus bypassing any safeguards. As the old saying goes; you can’t fix stupid, no matter how hard you try. A better approach would be to have YouTube and Facebook immediately remove any videos of this type to deprive the poster of the notoriety he is seeking.

John M.

All this time, I’ve been railing about the lack of protection for us chopper pilots who daily operate in the “drone zone”, other than blind faith in the drone operator’s, “Trust us.” (Did anything ever happen to the idiot who posted drone footage of an airliner on approach to KLAS, from directly above?)

De-anonymizing drone operations is long-overdue. If I’m required to have ADS-B/out (for ATC’s benefit) drones should have it to protect MY ass.

Chip D.

Poll: Would You Attend A Small Airshow?

I wouldn’t attend an airshow—I’ve seen enough of those—and I believe most pilots have as well. When the “airshow” starts at OSH— most experienced pilots head indoors. OSH is SO MUCH MORE THAN AN AIRSHOW—a chance to see what is new—and a chance to meet old friends. THAT is enough to risk returning—IF risk can be mitigated.
Yes! I am hosting a type-club fly-in this weekend. At the same event last year, we had 13 aircraft. This year, we have 23 aircraft signed up. Comments indicate that everyone wants to “go flying.”
It depends on how large and what (if any) restrictions are in place.
The smaller "airshows" I attend all seem to be pancake breakfasts, which may not work with social distancing and all.
Yes - indoor or outdoor as long as distancing is maintained.
Don't like don't go!
Less than 10 people.
Yes, with some distancing. Virus appears to be much less contagious in open-air settings.
I was at an impromptu air show yesterday at BQ1. It was wonderful.
Not now, maybe in a few years.
Yes, but only if I could fly in and stay with my aircraft to see the show and bring my own chairs. Maybe a mask and gloved food/drink vendor could come by and I buy a hot dog and a coke.
Yes, will keep distance where applicable.
Other than AirVenture, I'm pretty indifferent to airshows. If you've seen one Lomcevak, you've seen 'em all!
Yep, with mask.
No, wouldn't anyway.
Yes, could even be indoors if masks are used.
I simply prefer static exhibits to airshow.
Yes. I'll take responsibility for my own safety.
No problem!