What to do? Scary!!!

[Mick]

A guy I know has a PPL & RAAus pilot cert, but with not alot of experience, most of which was in a Stinson 108 Voyeger which is a 4 seat, fairly stable tail dragger. He has recently bought a RAAus registerd Sonerai. The following is cut & paste from his facebook page.......

 

Wednesday -

 

"Finally got to take my new plane out for some high speed taxi runs. One word comes to mind SHIT! Like holding onto a crocs tail while fighting him.

 

Looks like a couple of deep breathes and lots of practice before I even try to take off."

 

Thursday -

 

"Flight dramas up date today.

 

Take off was with non even after what feels like 50 fast taxis runs up and down the runway. Flight to Boonah from Caboolture was beautiful. Cruise at 125 knots is just cool.

 

Landing circuit at Boonah in 45 minutes, all under control, speeds looking good. Wind showing a very light tailwind base on runway 22. Turn onto finals looking for runway, still good. Check instruments and airspeed, look-up, where is the runway gone!

 

Plane is out of balance a...nd now flying sideways, look over right shoulder to find runway. Correct plane flight path, noticing the houses on the hill below me look really close, shoot. Look for the runway again, not there, looking over my Left shoulder now and thinking this isn't looking good.

 

Okay correct this, now looking over my right shoulder again to find the runway again. Okay make this chaos look like I know what I am doing and in control of this situation. I will do a side slip, must look cool I think to myself, yeah. Ground is so close and my eye by now must be as big as bowling balls with sweat flooding down my face. Now straighten the plane up so it is pointed down the runway for landing, I said straight, straight now would be good,

 

SHIT, not straight enough, FLARE we are about to touch, to late we touched, bounced, still not straight, bigger bounce, holly shit, power on, get out of here. Plane points the nose sky ward, still not straight and creeping of the runway centre line the blood big trees on the edge of the runway look flaming close and HUGE. Looking to the front of the plane, and all I see is blue sky, nose too hight. Shit again check airspeed, still okay.

 

Back under control again at last, thinking maybe that tailwind was more than I was thinking for this little plane. Next time I used the other runway approach into the wind. Lets say it was so much easier to get on the runway. Still not like a pro, but down and safe.

 

Got to the hangers and was greeted by others with looks of complete fear on their faces. I just opened the canopy and said I soloed on my second landing. The reply was more like five landings and shaking heads.

 

I was okay with it all, its about what I was expecting."

 

Friday -

 

"Should I be worried now?

 

Doing my practice approaches and making hard work of landing my little plane, still feeling okay. Stopped for a chat with a neighbour at the fence while sitting in the plane. The local flight instructor walks over to join in with the conversation. Asked a couple of questions, then said, do I want to do some training with him. I said, no all is good thank you very much. He said, its for free, I don't want to see you get hurt. I don't know what he was thinking, I've not scared myself yet. It must look pretty bad from the side lines.

 

Anyway, two safe arrivals today. Not sure if you can call them a landing yet. I'm getting better though, trust me, Lol."

 

After that post a few friends ( some pilots & some not ) expressed concerns about this guy's safety & suggested he take up the Instructors offer of help, but this was his reply today -

 

"Guys really it is all okay. It's not that the plane is out of control. It's just different and more responsive than what I am use to. Not that much different to the Jabs, I just have to get use to the approach speed and lack of forward vision to see the runway. This can only be done with time and bum in seat. The instructor and his plane would offer no being it, as I would still have the same issues to over come in the Sonerai.

 

All is okay, if I felt it was a danger I would be getting help. Thank you for your concerned thoughts, and comments. I really just wrote these comments as a bit of fun, not to cry wolf. "

 

I am really concerned for this guy & know he is the stubborn type who will not listen to people trying to help him. If he was writing this for a bit of fun why would an Instructor offer unrequested help? I know me talking to him will not be heard and probably only get his back up, but what else can be done?

 

 

[Ultralights]

wholly shite! he needs an instructor, not to teach him to fly, but to get rid of that attitude! its the attitude that will kill him.. he says its all under control, well obviously it isnt... i guess we will see a sonerai appear in the incidents and accidents pages soon..

 

sadly it seams to be an attitude carried by a lot of pilots, its ok i know what im doing, i dont need any more training.. i just forgot to do, whatever, whatever whatever..

 

well, if they were properly trained, they wouldn't forget to do whatever it is that gets them into trouble or an incident. just reading the pilot notes pages on the Raaus website proves that!

 

 

[metalman]

Not much can be done I reckon, hopefully he'll get on top of the plane before he gets hurt, it does sound like he has issues flying a good circuit which really has bugger all to do with the type,

 

Matty

 

 

[rgmwa]

It's not that the plane is out of control.

... it's the pilot!

rgmwa

 

 

[turboplanner]

The Airfield owner and operator may have a sizeable PL risk here

 

 

[dazza 38]

Maybe he should go for a few hours in a Pitts with a instructor

 

 

[cscotthendry]

His attitude may end up costing him his airplane at least, his life at most, but worst of all, someone else's life as well. Maybe if that was pointed out to him explicitly, it might shake hi up a bit. I've often found that with people who have that kind of 'know-it-all' attitude, subtle (and not-so-subtle) hints usually are lost on them.

 

 

[jetjr]

Why wouldnt you get some help transitioning to a new aircraft????

 

 

[flyerme]

STEP ON THE BALL,!!

 

Wtf!!!! Houses looked close? Get him away from people in the firing line/ crash zone!..;;; Perfect example of why we look bad..... Sheeeesh. There's a perfect spot for this type of ignorant flying!! The desert. Go practice your shyte flying there

 

,

 

,

 

, oh and can I film it?lol

 

 

[ayavner]

You sure this isn't Jack Flyer making his triumphant return??

 

 

[Hongie]

It all sounds a bit tounge in cheek... Hopefully it's the case... If he is serious, advise him that if he IS going to fly in such a manner, don't put it on social media

 

 

[flyerme]

You sure this isn't Jack Flyer making his triumphant return??

Nah jack would have taken up the free lessons!

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

Mick ....is his first name Brian?

 

 

[dazza 38]

Why wouldnt you get some help transitioning to a new aircraft????

I was thinking of that as well but apart from the previous owner, I think it would be extremely difficult to find a instructor with experience in a Soneri and have the balls to instruct someone in one.

 

 

[facthunter]

It would be a lot different to the Stinson he's used to. Flying planes like this is not like weightlifting where you just keep at it and get results. . He should at least discuss his problems with someone who understands the differences and can analyse the problems. Nev

 

 

[planesmaker]

Very concerning. Those who have witnessed his flying, perhaps a call to operations may be in order? As it appears he does not accept help(even free!)from a CFI. Before something more serious happens. Tom

 

 

[Mick]

Mick ....is his first name Brian?

Yep.

 

 

[Downunder]

"Next time I used the other runway approach into the wind".... does that mean he landed downwind previously?

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

Hi Mick

 

I know him then not too many have had a Voyager....Has anyone actually sat him down and spoken to him about this. I have known him for 30 plus years he has always been approachable. I will see if I can find him on FB