alawadhi
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 Re: Mustang Air to Air: The Sequel | |
nickjohnson wrote:
alawadhi wrote:
nickjohnson wrote:
I feel compelled to offer an alternative view regarding the non flying F22 at RIAT yesterday. All IMHO.
Facts.
1) I was at the event and keen to see the F22 for the first time.
2) Prior to the F22 slot there where two other fast jet no fly decisions including the RAF Typhoon.
3) The RIAT and USAF commentators are not part of the fly / no fly decision making process - by design and regulation.
4) Aircraft taking part in the display are flying under display rules and not operational rules.
5) MAA (Military Aviation Authority) display rules mandate that all displays are planned and approved prior to the event. This includes visibility minima both horizontal and vertical. This is done for many reasons, one of which is to stop pilots making it up as they go along or giving it a go to entertain the crowd.
6) Planning the display programme takes into account MAA rules, Aircraft operator rules, Aircraft type rules, and the way that all those map onto the geography of the display site and its surrounding area, and weather conditions at the time of the display.
7) Once all the items in (6) are satisfied then the display may commence subject to ATC clearance.
8) Both the Display Director and the PIC (Pilot In Command) can call a stop at any time.
Background.
1) The visibility both H and V was highly variable all day.
2) There was no established cloud base prior to the F22 display slot. Announced reports varied between 800 and 1200 feet.
3) The first fast jet display in the programme (Czech Gripen) flew several horizontal circles, and went into and out of cloud rapidly and repeatedly.
Opinion.
1) I was very disappointed that the poor weather prevented some types from flying and compelled many others to fly flat displays.
2) I am very thankful that there where no misshapes, or accidents.
3) This stuff is difficult. Despite all the planning and rules IMHO we had at least one bust of the display line.
4) Im delighted that there was clear evidence of the balance, between putting on a show and strict observance of the rules, being actively managed.
5) Im sad and disappointed that the standing, or commitment of service men / women should be called into question on the basis of no evidence what so ever.
Nick...
If I remember correctly, they said clearly yesterday that F22 cannot perform most of the action due to the low cloud base, so no use of doing a flat fly-pass, thus cancelled the take off, which I totally agree with.
Back in 2014, in Bahrain Airshow (I was there and witnessed it), the Typhoon performed (for more than 15 minutes) under heavy rain and strong wind (with high cloud base) while UAE F-16 and Saudi Hawks cancelled theirs!
My opinion (and others the same whom I was talking to), the last several accidents both in the UK and the US did harm the airshow industry (I fully understand why from safety point-of-view), introducing new strict rules and regulations that got me and others bored. Those turned the airshow into a flat boring celebration of colors and music, with no real action, no real performance, no real stunts... Why should I bother myself into attending an airshow with normal slow boring fly-pass (even they are not allowing high speed fly-pass now!!!), no breaking sound barrier, no real aerobatics, nothing...
I am expecting a total destruction of the airshow industry, provided that things continue the same way as they are now.
Anwar,
I'm sorry to learn of your disappointment with current air shows. Clearly you've travelled a long way only to find reality falling way short of expectation. Not good.
Your recollection of the Bahrain show illustrates some of the difficulties perfectly. Yes, the Typhoon could display in spite of wind and rain. Yes, it's no surprise that the Saudi Hawks could not display. Different aircraft and a formation rather than a singleton. BTW, I have fond memories of the Saudi Hawks from several years ago at Yeovilton.
Speaking strictly about the UK Air Show Industry - you may be right - a permanent decline may happen. The new rules have made many venues non viable. Even the biannual commercial show at Farnborough is having major problems due to proximity of housing. Having read the AAIB reports concerning the recent accidents, I have to say the Industry has bought the new restrictive climate upon itself. In those reports there are large numbers of (IMHO) appalling bad practices and blatant circumvention of the intent if not the letter of the rules. Martin Bakers blanket refusal to have anything to do with their seats fitted to civil registered ex-military jets may be the writing on the wall. Eventually the supply of parts will dry up - or the skilled and experienced labour will simply retire / die.
Stupid pilot actions like the Shoreham accident DID harm the whole thing. One polite word (stupid).
If I was a judge, I would sentence him to work at the most miserable place on earth 100 hours a day for the rest of his ...... life with no food no water no rest no bathroom
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