Chuck Yeager article in Flight Journal(wow)

Nathan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:35 pm

I got a copy of Flight Journal January 2009 issue. In it is an article by Chuck Yeager titled" STOP WASTING WARBIRDS!". :roll:

Anyway in the short article Yeager explains some of his exploits in the P-51. But then starts commenting that we are losing warbirds all the time due to "rich, spoiled pilots who have no idea what is behind them(I think he is commenting on the "Precious metal" accident of last year). He mentions Reno and Oshkosh as the main subject. :roll:

To the uninformed reading they would get the idea that warbirds are crashing everyday from what Yeager has written! :evil:

Also I think most warbird pilots and owners are top notch people and have the skill to operate them. Apperently Yeager thinks differently.

Umm...wow, thanks Yeager! :roll:

Sorry for the rant,
Nate

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:37 pm

Is he wrong? :?:

There was just a huge thread on this.

DenverWarbirdFan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:39 pm

I saw Yeager fly a p-51 at the Edwards Open House a few years ago (2005 maybe?) . I don't remember whose mustang he was flying, but it's sad to hear this opinion- especially coming from someone I've admired my whole life.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:41 pm

Hey Mods, is there a way to combine threads?

Hellcat · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:47 pm

Seems "rich, spoiled pilots" are the ones who are actually saving warbirds. Without the "rich" part, there wouldn't be many warbirds for spoiled pilots to fly. If that is the way CY is stating to begin with. :wink:

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:48 pm

Chuck should know having wrecked a T-6 not to long ago :twisted:

Django · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 1:58 pm

Nathan wrote:

Anyway in the short article Yeager explains some of his exploits in the P-51. But then starts commenting that we are losing warbirds all the time due to "rich, spoiled pilots who have no idea what is behind them(I think he is commenting on the "Precious metal" accident of last year). He mentions Reno and Oshkosh as the main subject. :roll:

Sorry for the rant,
Nate

Wow! Surely he is not referring to Gerry... WOW! :shock:

Nathan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:04 pm

Django wrote:

Nathan wrote:

Anyway in the short article Yeager explains some of his exploits in the P-51. But then starts commenting that we are losing warbirds all the time due to "rich, spoiled pilots who have no idea what is behind them(I think he is commenting on the "Precious metal" accident of last year). He mentions Reno and Oshkosh as the main subject. :roll:

Sorry for the rant,
Nate

Wow! Surely he is not referring to Gerry... WOW! :shock:

Yeagers quote: "we lost a few at Oshkosh, led by ex-airline pilots who have no idea what is going on behind them".

That to me indicated a red flag that he was talking about Gerry!! :idea:

Tim Savage · **Joined:** Mon May 03, 2004 8:26 pm **Posts:** 630

Nathan wrote:

Django wrote:

Nathan wrote:

Anyway in the short article Yeager explains some of his exploits in the P-51. But then starts commenting that we are losing warbirds all the time due to "rich, spoiled pilots who have no idea what is behind them(I think he is commenting on the "Precious metal" accident of last year). He mentions Reno and Oshkosh as the main subject. :roll:

Sorry for the rant,
Nate

Wow! Surely he is not referring to Gerry... WOW! :shock:

Yeagers quote: "we lost a few at Oshkosh, led by ex-airline pilots who have no idea what is going on behind them".

That to me indicated a red flag that he was talking about Gerry!! :idea:

Actually, he isn't. He is talking about an accident that took Dick James' life a few years ago. The flight was led by Ed Bowlin, a former airline pilot, good stick, and really good guy. If you are connecting the dots, CY wrecked Ed's T-6 and then tried to blame it on the Bowlins. This sounds like more of a personal vendetta on CY's part than reasoned thinking...although I haven't read the article. I have had a pretty good number of interactions with CY, and have been less than impressed, and that is saying it kindly. Frankly, he is starting to come across as a bitter old has been.

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:22 pm

NTSB Identification: ATL04IA002.
The docket is stored in the Docket Management System (DMS). Please contact Records Management Division
Incident occurred Thursday, October 02, 2003 in Clayton, GA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 8/9/2007
Aircraft: North American T6G, registration: N2831D
Injuries: 2 Uninjured.
According to the pilot during the approach to land the airplane touched down about 500 feet down runway 23 on the centerline. As the tail lost lift and the tail wheel made contact with the runway, the airplane veered left of the centerline. At 1900 feet, the airplane crossed from the south side of the runway over the centerline to the north side of the runway. The airplane veered again to the left and departed the runway on the south side about 2,000 feet from the approach end. The airplane came to rest perpendicular to the runway 2,144 feet from the approach end. Examination of the accident on-scene found that the airplane departed the runway edge and proceeded down a fifteen-foot embankment and made contact with several large rocks, separating both main landing gear. The airplane continued to rotate counter clockwise about 45-degrees and came to rest near trees. Winds at the time of the accident were 100-degrees gusting to 15 knots. Examination of the auto-locking feature for the tail-wheel found that the mechanism operated properly. Tail wheel skid marks on the runway were clearly visible throughout the length of the loss-of-control sequence. Tail wheel scuff marks were in line with the main landing gear and exhibited side-load scuffing consistent with the tail wheel being in the forward, locked position. The scuffing was not consistent with a cocked tail wheel. In addition, no evidence was identified indicating tail wheel tire sidewall or tread damage consistent with a cocked tail wheel. No mechanical problem with the airplane was reported by the pilot.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this incident as follows:
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions that resulted in his failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. A factor was gusting tailwinds.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:23 pm

Is that your screen saver Jack?

Jack Cook · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:27 pm

No the picture of the wreck is :idea:

Nathan · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:28 pm

Jack Cook wrote:

No the picture of the wreck is :idea:

LMAO!

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:32 pm

I figured it would be a pic of George Welch breaking the sound barrier first, Oh, that's right there aren't any.

mustangdriver · **Posted:** Fri Dec 05, 2008 2:34 pm

So far rather than argue if there is a problem, others would just rather slam Yeager. Interesting.

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