04-07-2025, 07:06 PM
{Herewith a thumb nail – dipped in tar}.
Dear Sandy. -
I had a little bit of 'work' to finish off today; on the 'bench' – mostly on Auto pilot, which allowed my addled mind to wander. I tried to define exactly that which angered me so much in the Hitch twaddle. It was (and remains so) difficult to define motivation and reasoning.
Take the case of the beach landing tragedy with the C172 for example; some say that the inbound track was flown 'too close' to the strip, which prevented an 'orderly' forced landing; others have differing opinions. Fair enough – as it stands. I was taught and formed a habit of always ensuring a 'standard' approach pattern to any circuit; even under the IFR a 'standard' (for type) circuit to a base and final leg was a habit (no matter the bumps and the gods pissing on the windscreen).
Wing tip on the runway edge, stable, speed good for the gear, enough flap to stabilise - and power as required to maintain a 'sensible' profile; particularly important when approaching minima off a dark and stormy NDB heart stopper, somewhere without much in the way of ambient light. Many reasons for this approach; being 'legal' not even in the top five; why? Well, if you operate 'legally' all the time (99% anyway) when the what's it hits the fan and the do-do is coming thick and fast, you must, absolutely, recognise when things get 'out of shape'. “Going around” (Good call). You will be both 'legal' and 'operationally sound' - until you start buggering about with 'non-standard' technique – then, all bets are off, You may get away with it; or, be neatly hoist on your own petard, or not be uncomfortable in a Pine box.. A missed approach, in the dark, low level (minima) raining cats and dogs, from a 'non' standard' approach to reset : well. Just saying. (Discount rates on the box for mates).
It is almost the same for the VFR ploughing on into 'weather' without a pre planned, viable, executable 'escape route and a 'mind map'. Nothing of the sensible, proven approach to 'sane' considered, practice is visible in the Hitch dribble. In fact, with that 'attitude' on show, a check flight with me would see him back in the office, from the holding point, for a coffee and a 'chat'. Would I fly with him – no way Jose. Flying is a thinking man's game; you try to beat the challenges presented, before becoming airborne; armed with a plan, a calm mind with just light shade of respect – of the unknown. A nod to Murphy ain't a bad idea either..
Toot – toot.....
Dear Sandy. -
I had a little bit of 'work' to finish off today; on the 'bench' – mostly on Auto pilot, which allowed my addled mind to wander. I tried to define exactly that which angered me so much in the Hitch twaddle. It was (and remains so) difficult to define motivation and reasoning.
Take the case of the beach landing tragedy with the C172 for example; some say that the inbound track was flown 'too close' to the strip, which prevented an 'orderly' forced landing; others have differing opinions. Fair enough – as it stands. I was taught and formed a habit of always ensuring a 'standard' approach pattern to any circuit; even under the IFR a 'standard' (for type) circuit to a base and final leg was a habit (no matter the bumps and the gods pissing on the windscreen).
Wing tip on the runway edge, stable, speed good for the gear, enough flap to stabilise - and power as required to maintain a 'sensible' profile; particularly important when approaching minima off a dark and stormy NDB heart stopper, somewhere without much in the way of ambient light. Many reasons for this approach; being 'legal' not even in the top five; why? Well, if you operate 'legally' all the time (99% anyway) when the what's it hits the fan and the do-do is coming thick and fast, you must, absolutely, recognise when things get 'out of shape'. “Going around” (Good call). You will be both 'legal' and 'operationally sound' - until you start buggering about with 'non-standard' technique – then, all bets are off, You may get away with it; or, be neatly hoist on your own petard, or not be uncomfortable in a Pine box.. A missed approach, in the dark, low level (minima) raining cats and dogs, from a 'non' standard' approach to reset : well. Just saying. (Discount rates on the box for mates).
It is almost the same for the VFR ploughing on into 'weather' without a pre planned, viable, executable 'escape route and a 'mind map'. Nothing of the sensible, proven approach to 'sane' considered, practice is visible in the Hitch dribble. In fact, with that 'attitude' on show, a check flight with me would see him back in the office, from the holding point, for a coffee and a 'chat'. Would I fly with him – no way Jose. Flying is a thinking man's game; you try to beat the challenges presented, before becoming airborne; armed with a plan, a calm mind with just light shade of respect – of the unknown. A nod to Murphy ain't a bad idea either..
Toot – toot.....