- Joined
- Oct 30, 2003
- Messages
- 18,376
- Location
- Santa Maria, California
- Aircraft
- Givens Predator
- Total Flight Time
- 2600+ in rotorcraft
Probably effects the numbers, France has a much more relaxed system of regulation for microlight than probably anywhere else, I think.
We have a declarative set of rules and regulations putting the onus squarely on the shoulders of the pilot for any works on the craft and its airworthiness.
Does your data include only deaths involving the "big 3"? and does there exist data giving numbers for death/accidents due to
A: Pilot error
B: Machine failure
Again, I am guesssing that the huge part is pilot error.
You bring up a good point Phil.
In my opinion there are simply not enough accident statistics to draw conclusions.
That is why I started with so few accidents so people could think about each accident understanding that it may involve the pilot, his training and his maintenance.
I suspect the pilot who hit the trees on takeoff won’t do that again.
He will probably be less likely to make off field landings and will probably consider his takeoff performance more carefully next time.
Because I read the information on the crash carefully I am reminded of each of these lessons.
Life is too short for me to make all the mistakes myself.
I am reminded to instruct my clients that an off airport landing has many hazards and it is possible to land in a place where takeoff is not possible.
I also teach them to plan their flights so if their electronic navigation fails they can visually continue their course.
I continue to be amazed at the different ways people to find to destroy their gyroplanes.
I find value in identifying what they forgot based on what they tell the FAA after they have had some time to think about what happened.
I feel the fellow who gunned his engine several times to cushion a landing and found that made the gyroplane go faster is a good example.
I want my clients to know that the throttle controls altitude and the cyclic controls airspeed.
I want my clients to understand the landing process in a way that would preclude such an incident.
I want my clients to know that a high thrust line gyroplane will pitch nose down when power is added and pitch nose up when power is removed.
How to express these simple lessons in a way they will be remembered when the situation presents itself is the challenge I struggle with.