OT: VERY SAD NEWS

So, why post the video link?
Why not simply report the tragedy and let the ghouls find their own titillation?
There are now two posts about this - why?
Please show some respect for the family and friends affected by this event.

MikeW
 
Showing the video is not disrespectful... its not 'titillating ghouls'... Get off his back. He's posted it in the public interest, which it is. I watched it, it wasn't for some ghoulish fascination, purely objective interest of a pilot. I'm positive that skyhawk wishes the family his deepest condolences.
 
It's dangerous. People who do it are brave. I know it's a cliche, but both pilot and wing-walker Jane died 'doing what they loved'.

We salute them. R.I.P. :icon30:
 
The outcome of the performance was a tragedy. As hard as it was for me I watched the clip several times and the maneuver looked to be as planned and going smoothly. Then it appeared that an engine mount, or control cable snapped.
 
Oh, jeez! Yes, it was quick, I could have done without the video. My condolences to their families and friends.
 
Yes a great loss. I agree with Olboy's suggestion of a malfunction as the pilot would not wish to manouver that fast with her on the wing.
 
Do not know why its here but anyways right as he rolls inverted I saw some smoke. Imo it looks like he was losing altitude and heading towards the crowd.Made a split second decision to snap roll it and planted it in the ground.
Recently another stunt pilot lost a engine in his biplane and went in hard but upright killing his Amanda Franklin who was strapped on top the wing.

I have seen my share of airshows and watching wing walkers never really sat well with me.I can still remember vividly from when I was a child watching that scene from The Great Waldo Pepper.Maybe that left a imprint in my brain but I just feel like its like a magicians lovely female assistant being put in real danger just for added shock value.

I understand none of them were forced to go out on that wing,knew the risk and loved doing it.That said if airshows banned,discouraged the practice having a performer,crew member from exiting the cockpit during flight I would not miss it.
 
Barnes said:
Yes a great loss. I agree with Olboy's suggestion of a malfunction as the pilot would not wish to manouver that fast with her on the wing.
Click to expand...

I thought possibly she was having some difficulty that the pilot had spotted and he was trying to help - but the video is too low resolution to tell for sure
it could have been wind shear - or an airframe or power plant malfunction - cause will be determined at some point...

as to posting the video - a person can elect not to open the link - and if no link is provided, those that would look for it could do so and have it in an instant
- so including the link is not worth mentioning one way or the other.

The people who do this kind of flying know exactly what the risks are - they take steps to mitigate that risk but lets face it - they know the best they can do is reduce the odds - not eliminate them altogether.

I wish their families peace in knowing there was a quickness to it and that they could not have been dissuaded from performing in this manner by anyone
so there is no blame or shame - this was the living they chose and it was probably the best of times. I know my job is a mind numbing soul crushing process by comparison.
 
The pilot would only see her legs from the cockpit and anything but adding g would be very unhelpful. Th
 
JIMJAM said:
. . . . . . .I understand none of them were forced to go out on that wing, knew the risk and loved doing it. That said if airshows banned, discouraged the practice having a performer, crew member from exiting the cockpit during flight I would not miss it.
Click to expand...
I don't get to many Air Shows any more.. .the ones I do go to are Military bases and I've never seen a Wing Walker act at any of them. I have to agree with you though that given the recent string of accidents involving Wing Walkers, maybe it's time to think about a new profession. I know that every duo (those that are left) who performs such a show would be amendment about keeping the age old practice alive, but at what cost? Since I've never seen one live. . .I also wouldn't miss it.
 
falcon409 said:
I don't get to many Air Shows any more.. .the ones I do go to are Military bases and I've never seen a Wing Walker act at any of them. I have to agree with you though that given the recent string of accidents involving Wing Walkers, maybe it's time to think about a new profession. I know that every duo (those that are left) who performs such a show would be amendment about keeping the age old practice alive, but at what cost? Since I've never seen one live. . .I also wouldn't miss it.
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In many ways I think of stunt avaitors as similar to galiators of roman times. they risk (albeit calculated) life to "entertain" us.
 
well most gladiators were slaves, so - I'm not sure its the same thing

you might be thinking of the film Gladiator....
 
They do this because they want to do this.
They do this because the love doing it.
They do this because it is their expression of life.
Live or die, its who they are.
Dont side line them into obscurity. Dont take away what they love so much as to risk the danger of dieing..
Dont legislate them into a living death
Let them live, their way, not how you think they should live. Isnt that what we all want? To live our way?
to die our way?
 
warchild said:
They do this because they want to do this.
They do this because the love doing it.
They do this because it is their expression of life.
Live or die, its who they are.
Dont side line them into obscurity. Dont take away what they love so much as to risk the danger of dieing..
Dont legislate them into a living death
Let them live, their way, not how you think they should live. Isnt that what we all want? To live our way?
to die our way?
Click to expand...

Pam, I believe you put it exactly right.
 
warchild said:
They do this because they want to do this.
They do this because the love doing it.
They do this because it is their expression of life.
Live or die, its who they are.
Dont side line them into obscurity. Dont take away what they love so much as to risk the danger of dieing..
Dont legislate them into a living death
Let them live, their way, not how you think they should live. Isnt that what we all want? To live our way?
to die our way?
Click to expand...


the racing world has lost two great racers recently,and Pams statement fits racing to a T as well...look at those men who drove those old sprint cars and midgets without any kind of roll cage or even seatbelts,and they were hitting speeds at 120-140mph on half mile dirt tracks...i did it with full nomex firesuit,fullface helmet,a race car that was a rolling rollcage with an engine and wing...and biga@@ tires...those guys drove RACE cars with skinny lil tires and puny lil engines..and made them go fast by the seat of there pants!!!!!

God speed Jane and partner...
 
heywooood said:
well most gladiators were slaves, so - I'm not sure its the same thing

you might be thinking of the film Gladiator....
Click to expand...

We are all slaves to something! Dollar or GBP and adulation! I was reflecting on us as spectators - if we did not watch they would not do!
 
I think Pam's sentiment is correct.

I doubt they did that wing walking show because it was the only way they could pay the rent. I think they loved the thrill of it and maybe the adulation too.

I hope the day never comes when that type of drive is stuffed out in this country. I think that type of DNA makes for a wonderful place to be.

How about all of our astronauts and service men. Military pilots hardly pursue that career as the only means to make a dollar... not the ones I've known.

chuck
 
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