Hope this post doesn't offend anyone, but I think it's worth mentioning...
I don't agree with everything that this fellow said, but Mr. Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers here in the United States said that "Men must be governed by God, or they will be ruled by tyrants."
This statement pertains both to this message board, and to the situation with the FAA.
On the message board, we should all check our attitudes and motives before posting.
For example, think how will this post encourage Rob, Chris, Steve, etc... and make them better. Am I possibly offending him? Maybe this is an offensive way to word this and, could I word this more succinctly, or graciously? When we don't, Scott has to be a tyrant, and enforce civility, something I know he, and others like him (Yes, I've done it before a bit on another board) don't really want to have to do. Also, check to see if you're mis-reading someone else's post and taking an unneccesary offense to something they've said.
As far as the FAA's concerned, I don't like some of their rules, and I don't like some things that seem to come from them, including some seemingly dumb stuff like the recent air tour proposal. However, I also know some folks who break those rules, and I don't like the results. Most of their rules were written in someone's blood, and some of the rules I like least, seem to have come more from legal issues and other people in the general population, who have demanded that something be done, than from an FAA mean-spirit. Like mentioned in someone else's post, we sometimes forget that the people on the ground also deserve some concern. After all, if we make a mistake and crash, there is a likelyhood that someone on the ground MIGHT get hurt. This of course is magnified in the view of said folks on the ground, and we should respect that.
Most pilots and aircraft owners I have talked to are responsible folks who I admire, but I also know of at least 4-10 folks here in town that I DO NOT respect with regards to their attitudes that are apparent by some rental aircraft I have flown
.
Now from my perspective, while I wish they could do this, from the FAA's perspective and the way most people think, it would not be considered fair for the FAA to make a special rule against such people, so, if they want to make it illegal for such people who ARE a hazard, guess what... EVERYONE has to suffer. But there is a good reason behind it.
By the way. IN THE STATEMENTS ABOVE I AM IN NO WAY SAYING ANYTHING DEROGATORY ABOUT WARBIRD ADVENTURES. THIS WAS CLEARLY AN ACCIDENT AND I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THEY WOULD HAVE LET THIS OCCUR IF THEY HAD KNOWN THERE WAS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM.
So you see, it really gets down to a matter of self-government, which in the end, is based on your worldview. If we do what we know is right. If we look at the principles behind the actions. If we are more responsible as pilots, and owners, and maintenance personnel, then at the very least, we are doing our part to rectify the situation. And I would suggest that if you see someone (like some folks I know) doing shoddy stuff, or if you find out something new that could be a problem, do something about it before it gets to the FAA level. Say something to that rental place or FBO, or talk to some responsible group and take what action you can BEFORE someone gets killed. Usually by the time something gets to the AD point, it really could be very serious. I wonder how many T-6s have had cracks before that could have warned of a potential problem like this.
Just my 2 cents,
Ryan
Private Pilot
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