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Subject: Re: [LML] Re: Vne is NOT a meaningless number
From: Kailani <freyas.favored@gmail.com>
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I was a "lurker" on this list for a long time and then dropped off for
a while and recently came back.  I can't address the VME or any other
technical issues because I'm not a pilot or an aviation mechanic and
would never claim to be so.  But I do want to address this post.  I
hope that you will all take it in the spirit it is intended...a
passenger's perspective so to speak.

First of all, yes this post was insulting, but that's okay.  I've read
insulting before.  The problem I have is your insinuation that Randy
is not a safe pilot.  I have flown with him for over 2 years now.
Regularly.  That's what drew me to this forum in the first place.  I
had no experience in small planes before I met him and definitely not
with experimentals.  Because I was putting myself in a very small,
very fast plane I wanted to learn what I could about them.  I am a
smart enough passenger to want to know what I was getting myself into.
 I also wanted to be sure of whose life I was putting my hands into,
because literally, that is what a passenger does every single time
they get into a plane, or on the back of a motorcycle, or in a car for
that matter.  But in the case of these planes (and a motorcycle) the
stakes are quite a bit higher.

I have seen more than a couple people die in the few years I've been
around these planes and they died from stupidity.  They died from
thinking that because they read something somewhere that told them all
they need to know.  That would be like me reading this forum and
thinking that makes me an expert then jumping in a plane and taking
off and killing someone.  Or they thought they were a better pilot
than they really are.  And again did something stupid.  A couple of
those planes the only one who died was the pilot and all I can say to
that is ... bummer.  But in at least one a passenger died.  A
passenger who I think got in a plane with a pilot who overstated his
abilities and experience.  They didn't make it 50 miles from the
airport before they crashed and crashed hard.  That was sad, but it
was also his own fault in some sense because he didn't do the research
he should have done before jumping in the plane with someone.

I have done that research.  And I spent MONTHS at the airport with
Randy before I ever got in his plane.  I even helped paint it when he
did some of the mods he posted to this forum a long time ago because
body work and paint was something I DID have experience with.  In that
time he taught me a lot about HIS plane, always making sure that I
understood that the Lancair is basically a "one off" every single one
is different.  I also learned that from looking at others at that
airport.  We even discussed insurance, what it costs, the hoops you
have to jump through to get it with these planes, getting a pilot
license, getting rated for instruments (which he is), how it's
different requirements in different types of planes, and on and on.  I
watched the maintenance he does on his plane, learned about the mods
he's done.  I was even there when he put in the mod for the landing
gear dump (forgive me for not knowing the exact terminology) which he
designed and also posted here.  I was not with him when he tested it
because he doesn't endanger someone when trying new stuff out.

The first time we flew he showed me his check list and showed me what
each thing on it was and how he checks it.  It was greek to me, but
after flying so many times now I know what he is doing and I even know
to some degree what to look for, whether it's oil pressure, gas level,
or RPMs as we take off.  We had a hard landing once and there was an
issue with the tire,  rather than risk my life, he sent me home in
someone else's plane "just in case".  He made it home fine and so did
I.

Most of the people on this forum seem to have an extraordinary amount
of information they are willing to share.  That has also helped me
learn a lot.  The difference between them and many is that they have
the EXPERIENCE and FLIGHT TIME to back up what they are saying.  I can
honestly say that if I never flew with Randy again I would be very sad
because it truly is one of my favorite things to do (there is
something to be said for flying the coast in CA on a beautiful day at
226 kts (that's 240 mph).  Or flying in a circle around a friend
because his plane just can't keep up.  Or laughing as the guy at the
airport..when being told we are traveling at 220kts says "oh, now
you're just showing off" with a laugh of his own.  Or doing a roll
while two 12 year old girls in another plane watch in awe.  These
planes are absolutely incredible and the men and women who fly them
safely are as well.  And Randy Stuart ranks at the top of that list
with me.  I don't know that I would fly with anyone else for the
simple reason that he has the experience and flight time and when I
climb in that cockpit I know I'm in for a hell of a ride and that
lunch is waiting on the other side, so I have no worries.  I can't
know that for sure with anyone else, because I haven't done the
research.  And I know several I would NEVER get in a plane with
because even keeping their planes under the VME of which you speak,
they are not safe in their maneuvers, they can't talk intelligently on
the radio to the controllers or other pilots and they just do stupid
things in general.

And you don't have to worry about him doing it with you or one of your
friends on board because I'm in that seat.  And until you have the
plane built and you have the experience and flight time I would
suggest being like me.  Listening and learning until you actually know
what it is that you speak of.

Thank you all for your time and for indulging me in speaking of my
friend and favorite pilot and one of my own personal favorite
hobbies.... being the curious passenger :)

Kristy
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: marv@lancair.net
> To: lml@lancaironline.net
> Sent: Saturday, November 28, 2009 2:30 PM
> Subject: [LML] Re: Vne is NOT a meaningless number
>
> Posted for rwolf99@aol.com:
>
>
> =A0I won't mention names here but a recent posting caused me great concer=
n.
>
> =A0Regarding pushing your 320 to the limit -- I'm certain that exceeding =
300
> mph
> is a thrill, but it is also pushing it *beyond* the limit.=A0=A0Vne for t=
he 320
> is
> 270 mph.=A0=A0That limit is chosen for a reason.=A0=A0Might be flutter, m=
ight be
> overloading by a gust, might be something else entirely.=A0=A0We know whe=
re the
> limit comes from for certified airplanes but not for experimentals.
>
> =A0It does not matter how well the systems are maintained.=A0=A0Vne is Vn=
e and
> should never be exceeded.
>
> =A0If you're going to continue doing this, please do it without me or any=
 of
> my
> friends on board, and please don't do it over my house.=A0=A0Oh, and plea=
se be
> uninsured so that I don't have to pick up part of the tab if your airplan=
e
> comes apart.
>
> =A0- Robert Wolf
> =A0LNC2 95%
>
> =A0p.s.=A0=A0Yes, I know that this message may be considered insulting.
>
> --
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ml