Bad training or something more serious?

[Udi]

Originally Posted by baronpilot

If I were to follow the procedures the FAA promotes it would take me 50 hours to solo a student and 200 hours before they were ready for a private checkride.

I am sorry, I didn't know today is the "bash your FAA day". I guess I didn't get the memo. Well, I guess this whole FAA deal must look different from a CFI point of view because this is not at all my experience from "the bottom of the food chain" point of view. I learned to fly FW and I got my ratings. I then transitioned to gyroplanes. All of the time following the FARs. I never felt there were any unreasonable requirements. Perhaps that is partly because I came from another country where the rules and bureaucracy were much worse.

Udi

[baronpilot]

Udi,

The biggest problem with the FAA is that they interfere with GA at all. As far as I am concerned, if your aircraft is not used for hire and you are under a certain number of lbs (let's say 12,500) you should not need an annual inspection or anything else for that matter. I can drive a 35-ton motorhome with 25 people in it down the highway at 70 MPH with no medical, no inspection, and no training. For me to fly a 1300 lb 152 with my wife in it, I need a medical, BFR, annual inspection, yada, yada. It is ridiculous. This is the reason that my 1967 V35 Bonanza is still the most efficient and well built plane in the world. Nobody wants to spend the money to build a better airplane to satisfy ridiculous requirements - especially when the pilot base they will sell to is declining.

[Hawk]

As a student pilot, I believe I would have to agree in part with both lines of thought! I have recently been signed of for solo ( Gabor, In a 269..great ship!!). My CFI wanted me to solo two hours prior, I declined, I felt I was not ready! He was in full agreement of MY decision and stated he is happy to see me making proper "PIC" decisions and will make me a better pilot. All this had nothing to do with the FAA but personal edict. To the other side, I'm sure glad that the FAA regulates the commercial side of aviation, I have to travel for my job, and would not be happy to be in ship piloted by someone of lesser edict. It should be up to the individual to be of higher standards and not dictated by some other entity.

[choppergabor]

Originally Posted by Hawk

( Gabor, In a 269..great ship!!)

Oh Yes Sir It is a great and forgiving ship. I am glad you got to fly her

[choppergabor]

Originally Posted by baronpilot

Udi,

The biggest problem with the FAA is that they interfere with GA at all. As far as I am concerned, if your aircraft is not used for hire and you are under a certain number of lbs (let's say 12,500) you should not need an annual inspection or anything else for that matter. I can drive a 35-ton motorhome with 25 people in it down the highway at 70 MPH with no medical, no inspection, and no training. For me to fly a 1300 lb 152 with my wife in it, I need a medical, BFR, annual inspection, yada, yada. It is ridiculous. This is the reason that my 1967 V35 Bonanza is still the most efficient and well built plane in the world. Nobody wants to spend the money to build a better airplane to satisfy ridiculous requirements - especially when the pilot base they will sell to is declining.

Perfectly said Todd. Exactly what I was thinking....but you have put it into words much better. Thanks.

[scottessex]

Can we get an AMEN on that last statement?!.....

[RotoPlane]

AMEN (referring to post 77/80). If I had my way, the only thing required for non-commercial flight (including UL) would be ground school, flight training to solo for a one place (not big fighter types ), a SPL (without the restrictions) for a two place and a PPL for more than a two place machine. To drive on the ground, one must know the rules of the road…to fly; one must know the rules of the sky.

[Hydro Pilot]

Back to the Sheik in the original post.

Apparently he IS quite the experienced pilot, although I don't know if I'd ever try that kind of takeoff maneuver.

Here is a video with floatees on his ship.

Gyrocopter water takeoff in UAE - YouTube

[Resasi]

Hands up all those who have flown gyros on floats???

Not a lot.

[Master Roda]

Originally Posted by Resasi

Hands up all those who have flown gyros on floats???

Not a lot.

Jim Vanek has. since the 80's I think

[hillberg]

how about helicopters on floats? Like the art work on the sides,

[DennisFetters]

I flew a set of floats back in the late 1980's on a Commander. I could tell right away that it would cause many accidents, so I never came out with the option.

[bryancobb]

Originally Posted by baronpilot

Exactly,

I have taken off on my property in my helicopter in the middle of pine trees with less than 20 ft clearance all around me. Had to ascend to 40-50 ft before being able to start forward movement. No rules were broken and nobody but me hurt if the engine quit or my skills were not up to snuff. At the time, I wanted to prove it could be done. Today, I am happy knowing I can do it, but will not do it again.

[Resasi]

Jim Vanek has. since the 80's I think

And Dennis, along with the unfortunate guy who was selling float kits and whose rotor fell off.

That means this Sheikh is in a pretty select group. Must have a bit of experience then.

[thomasant]

I've found flying with floats great fun.