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Lynn,
Thanks for the reply. I'd like to piggy-back on your thoughts and clarify
a couple of mine.
You said:
I have no problem with safety per se, but I object to anyone trying to
suggest that in order to "survive" my "hobby" I need to write a Dash 1 for
my experimental airplane and then also write up a book of regulations
under which I'll operate it.
My reply:
Acutally, what I said is, "...in order to survive our "hobby," risk has to
be very near the top of considerations for every decision we make." Based
on what you wrote in the last line of your post I think we're in agreement
there!
The DASH-1 I was referring to is already written; it's your Operating
Manual, or Approved Flight Manual or whatever they call it these days;
it'll always be a DASH-1 for me. Sorry I wasn't more clear on that.
You said:
One reason I have an experimental airplane is because of the increased
freedom that I am allowed in it's operation. I don't need more formalized
limitations.
My reply:
I believe the pros benefit from NOT having to make some decisions. Prohibitions and requirements outlined in their REGS remove the pilot from
the decision-making process for certain circumstances (circumstances
applying to risk management are germane to this discussion). I also
believe that we (the general aviation community) can benefit from
emulating a group that has a demonstrated safety record many times better
than ours.
Perhaps an example of my intent will help clarify. We can, each of us,
decide not to fly into thunderstorms or icing conditions before we are
faced with them. This (to me) is a circumstance when NOT having to make a
decision is good.
That being said, let me be clear, I would never suggest a fleet-wide set
of limitations -- the FAA has already done that for us. But I DO feel (my
opinion) that some of the limits dictated by the FAA leaves those less
experienced with high-performance aircraft a lot of room to get themselves
in trouble. No, the only limitations I suggest are those each of us,
individually, places on ourselves -- surely the freedom we all share
allows that?
The idea of writing personal limitations down serves only as a means to
formalize an agreement one makes with oneself. Think of it as an aid to
convincing ourselves (and perhaps our loved ones) that we're serious about
risk management. Those that have internalized an understanding of the
benefits of risk management may not realize any benefit from this
exercise, and that's great! That (internalizing a risk management creed)
is, after all, the ultimate goal. But, neither do I see the harm in
making a formal agreement with myself, and if there's a chance it will
make me a safer pilot, I believe I owe it to myself, my passengers and the
community at large to make the effort. That doesn't make it right for
everyone, it's just right for me.
You said:
I have zero interest in going to my insurance company and telling them
that I don't think the limitations they have already put on my airplane
operations are strict enough and I'm going to increase the limitations, in
writing.
My reply:
(Said with an annoying, nasal tone) "What we have here is a failure to
communicate..." Seriously, I wouldn't want my insurance company (or
anyone else for that matter) to see my REGS -- in our litigious society
that kind of info has a way of coming back to haunt you. Once again, we
agree!
But, trading insurance costs for TRAINING is something that's been done
with great success by the pros for many years. Again, since the pros seem
to have a much better safety record than us, I can't see the harm (in
regards to risk management) in emulating them. And, ultimately, if anyone
IS successful in coordinating such an arrangement, each of us would be
free to decline to participate if we didn't see the benefit. The bottom
line in my mind is that if WE don't do something about the rash of
accidents, the INSURERS will. I'd rather be proactive!
You said:
At the same time, if that is what makes it work for you, more power to
you, for you. I don't need a book to tell me to not fly in known icing
conditions, or not to joust with Thor, or to try and see how far I can
stretch the fuel.
My reply:
Again, we agree. One of the things that draws us to flying (based on your
post I'll take the liberty to speak for you on this subject -- if I'm
wrong I apologize in advance) is the tremendous feeling of personal
liberty. I hate the idea of anyone telling me what to do; we already have
enough of that in our country. Less government = more freedom!
That being said, I'd love to hear your ideas on how we might help others
(who might be interested) to develop the strong convictions about safety
and risk management that you and I share. After all, if everyone FELT the
same as us there wouldn't be ANY accidents!
Thanks again, Lynn, for helping me to clarify my thoughts on this subject.
I wish e-mail (or any other communication medium for that matter) was
less prone to misunderstanding.
Mark & Lisa Sletten
Legacy FG N828LM
http://www.legacyfgbuilder.com
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