Warbird Information Exchange

I propose a safety thread, one that can be seen in all of the forum links. Safety is not just for warbirds its for all aspects of aviation!


Please consider it.

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" excuse me stewardess I speak jive"

Some interesting pilot safety tips found online. Go figure!

1. Use your checklist
2. Never trust your fuel gauges
3. In a retractable gear airplane, make at least three checks to determine the position of the gear before landing
4. Don’t fly by committee
5. Know the high traffic areas in your community
6. Don’t fall victim to “get home-itis”
7. Do not rely on the autopilot or gee-whiz avionics to get you out of a bad situation
8. Stay proficient
9. Practice emergency procedures
10. Don’t be afraid not to fly

The following safety tips from Daedalian Foundation are excerpts from a Royal Flying Corps monthly safety report. The report was signed C. St. John-Culbertson, Royal Flying Corps, Colonel, and was dated 21 December 1917.

Horizontal turns. To take a turn the pilot should always remember to sit upright, otherwise he will increase the banking of the aeroplane. He should NEVER lean over. Crash precautions every pilot should understand the serious consequences of trying to turn with the engine off. It is much safer to crash into a house when going forward than to sideslip or stall a machine with engine troubles. Passengers should always use safety belts, as the pilot may start stunting without warning. Never release the belt while in the air, or when nosed down to land. Engine noises Upon the detection of a knock, grind, rattle or squeak, the engine should be at once stopped. Knocking or grinding accompanied by a squeak indicates binding and a lack of lubricant.

I'm not in favor of a safety thread. There's enough controversial topics out there already and this has all the makings of armchair safety experts slamming Warbird owners and operators and what they should have done. Not a good way to keep operators on this forum. Just my .02
David

Thats one way to look at it, but my thought is more of what can we as builders, maintainers, inspectors, marshaller's, viewers, fans, do to affect the promotion of safety?

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" excuse me stewardess I speak jive"

I can say from personal experience that discussing a Warbird operators safety or lack there of on a public forum is a bad idea. I've been accused of wrongdoing in this very topic on the Internet and had to defend myself, my reputation and our operator from false claims. It's because of this that I will no longer post videos of maint activities on this forum or any other. You open yourself up to all the so called experts. I won't participate in online discussions about the safety of our operation.
David

Sounds reasonable. If your post is generic and not so much specific I see no harm. My 2 cents.

I agree with Rick.

Lets think about something recent.........the Galloping Ghost accident at Reno.

There is a huge cache of detailed photos and documentation on line about the build of that aircraft. That is HUGE fodder for the attorneys that are wanting or are working on those lawsuits.

Edited to change name from Rick to Sabre.........sorry about that.

I'm not talking about discussing warbird, airline, or personal safety records. I'm thinking more along the lines of safety awareness. Example, why you don't stand in line of a spinning prop. Or where to stand while inflating a tire, jacking an airplane etc. It may be commonsense to most (who are in the business), but it may not be obvious to a spectator.

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" excuse me stewardess I speak jive"

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45-47=-2

I'm of two minds about this. My first reaction is that there is a need for an open discussion place on the net about warbird safety. It would be of utility to operators, owners, airshow planners, and the general public. As those in professional life know, there is a modern concept of "best practices" when it comes to technical standards. I haven't seen anything like that except a few things from EAA. In that respect, I would be very glad to see a forum and participate in same.

Second reaction is that here on WIX might not be the best place. Several reasons:

1. Careful moderation is needed by a recognized expert in the field. It is just not a good idea to be a safety resource unless you have a REAL expert (not a self-appointed internet expert) running the show. Who here has a pedigree (and is willing to volunteer) to be that person?

2. There needs to be a validation of your credentials before you post. I believe that everybody has something to contribute to safety. My wife, a student-pilot, saved my but on the L-5 one time. But you can't hide behind your WIX ID and post without presenting your credentials for scrutiny- at least not when it comes to safety.

3. There needs to be some vetting of your ideas (as they would be called) as they are posted. It's one thing to say pull the throttle back to closed when you are hand-propping, but it's another to cite an operator's manual, an AAF training circular, or some other WRITTEN back up for what you post.


As I said, I would be willing to participate but I think it needs to be thought out before it comes here.

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REMEMBER THE SERGEANT PILOTS!

Define the goal. Are we trying to teach safety to the warbird owner/operators here? Are we trying to react to a TV model walking into a GA prop? What's the plan?

If to teach warbird folks, this is a nightmare opinionated thread. Many speak with few in a position to reflect. If to help the GA community, how many read or participate on this site?

If it is a contest of whose pestrackis is bigger, not needed here.

Answer is?

"Kernel Dilweed"

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I would win anyway.

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"I knew the jig was up when I saw the P-51D-20-NA Mustang blue-nosed bastards from Bodney, and by the way the blue was more of a royal blue than an indigo and the inner landing gear interiors were NOT green, over Berlin."

Hey Yo, Dick! How ya doin?

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

This...

Ryan

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Aerial Photographer with Red Wing Aerial Photography currently based at KRBD and tailwheel CFI.
Websites: Texas Tailwheel Flight Training, DoolittleRaid.com and Lbirds.com.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD. - Prov. 21:31 - Train, Practice, Trust.

262 Guess you got your answer .... A BIG NEGATIVE!!!!!! Just so you don't feel too bad, I believe I knew where you wanted to go with this thread. Another time, another place.