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Wow, bad year for airshows continues today in Kansas City

Kiwikat said:
Wow... no kidding. :frown:



Is it really worth it...? :\
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A question many will be asking. However I am sure that if you were to ask any of the pilots in a display team this question the only answer you will get is a yes.

These guys truly love what they do for a living and their families will surely be aware of this fact.
 
arrowmaker said:
A question many will be asking. However I am sure that if you were to ask any of the pilots in a display team this question the only answer you will get is a yes.
Click to expand...

I think it is selfish to only ask the pilots though. They leave spouses, children, relatives, friends, and communities behind. What about their feelings? How many more good human beings do we have to lose this way? Aviation is already risky enough without aerobatics and formation flying.

When I saw Gerry Beck's P-51 turn into a fireball in 2007, it really changed my view on airshows. This year is giving me more of the same feelings. I just don't know anymore...
 
Airshow crashes are mostly caused by pilot error. As the great Bob Hoover stated: "Know your piloting limitatons, know the limitations of your aircraft, then never exceed the two".

Of course there are the other ones caused by mechanical failure and those caused by health problems. Those two really can't be helped. Like car accidents, their just going to happen.

Don't lose faith Kiwi. There are a lot of really good pilots that push things to the limit but still follow Hoover's rule. Some of them have been flying airshows for most of my life and are still going strong.
 
Kiwikat said:
I think it is selfish to only ask the pilots though. They leave spouses, children, relatives, friends, and communities behind. What about their feelings? How many more good human beings do we have to lose this way? Aviation is already risky enough without aerobatics and formation flying.
Click to expand...

Far less dangerous than driving a car in normal traffic, as for their family and friends, they know the 'risks'.
:kilroy:
 
arrowmaker said:
A question many will be asking. However I am sure that if you were to ask any of the pilots in a display team this question the only answer you will get is a yes.

These guys truly love what they do for a living and their families will surely be aware of this fact.
Click to expand...

And let us put it in some perspective; since the Red Arrows formed in 1965 they have displayed over 4000 times, in countries all around the world - they have been using Hawk since 1979, and this is only the second fatality in all that time (the other occasion was in 1988, during a practice session). These pilots (both male & female) understand the risks, and train hard to minimise them; Jon Egging died doing what he loved best, flying a fast jet & giving the displays for which the Reds have become justifiaby famous. :salute:
 
Kiwikat said:
Wow... no kidding. :frown:



Is it really worth it...? :\
Click to expand...

Of course it's worth it.....

If it's not, then stay in bed.

Not meant for you personally Kiwi Kat -- you're completely correct to ask the question. Rather it's a rhetorical "stay in bed"(but I think you see my point).
 
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