It is interesting to see how this subject has evolved from someone making a
comment about how he makes the transition from high altitude flight to the
traffic pattern; he explained getting his airplane slowed to configuration
airspeed was done by flying down the runway and then flying a closed traffic
pattern. This allowed him to descend at a controlled rate, didn't shock cool
his engine, and entered traffic without conflicting with other traffic.

The initial "outcry" was he was "shining his ass", breaking FAA regs,
endangering himself and everyone around him, and most likely will end
killing someone and raising everyone's insurance rates.

Then someone compared it to using undocumented parts on airplanes.

Now with the Glassair accident, some people are pointing out what happens
when you "shine your ass".

When someone does breaks the laws of physics and aerodynamics that someone
will pay a price.

If I followed the guidance of the "outcry" group who said you can't fly
straight in because there might be someone in the pattern without a radio,
then I guess a practice ILS, VOR, or GPS approach can't be done for the same
reason.

This latest accident has absolutely nothing to do with the original subject.
There is NOTHING inherently unsafe about flying a straight in low approach
to a closed full stop landing, if you fly within the bounds of physics and
aerodynamics.

I too believe in flying safely. Since there is a saying that "there are bold
pilots and there are old pilots, but there are no old, bold pilots". Since
I'm old, that must mean I'm not a bold pilot.

I don't consider what I do at the Reno Air Races as "shining my ass", but
from some of the comments made in this frame there are probably those who
think I'm not setting a good example to those who happened to observe me
flying.

Know the limits of yourself and your airplane, then back off from those
limits for safety.


Lynn Farnsworth
Super Legacy #235
TSIO-550 powered
Race #44