WWI Replica Safety

Joe Perkel · 12 December 2008, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j ferguson

regrettably, none of my stories involves WW1 aircraft.

likely they shouldn't be on this forum.

John,

A profound statement in itself. Think about it for a moment, what does the NTSB call this in their reports?

"A contributing factor" .... "Unfamiliarity and lack of time in type"

Considering the amount of WWI aircraft available for dual and rent, all can expect to be in the same boat.

No Sir I disagree, your stories, as pertaining to safety and lessons learned, very much belong on this forum.

Bookmaker · 12 December 2008, 05:27 PM

I am not building an airplane, but I am a licensed, instrument rated pilot. I am also respect all of you who are building these aircraft. What I see discussed in this thread is applcable to ALL aircraft.

Know your aircraft
Always do a proper preflight check
Never allow the attitude that you have it "whipped" enter your mind. It
will surely prove you wrong.

As my Dad told me when I got my motorcycle, "You'll be OK until you think you have it whipped, then it will bust your a##. " You know he was right, it did.

What I have seen as the most common cause of homebuilt incidents was fuel related issues. My opinion would be to use a proven "modern" fuel system setup definitely and forget pressurized systems. There is a reason they aren't used any more. They are dangerous as heck.

Keep your common sense and you'll live to be old and bold.

Dale

SCMc · 12 December 2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j ferguson

regrettably, none of my stories involves WW1 aircraft.

likely they shouldn't be on this forum.

I think most members of the forum are interested in flying, even if we can't do it ourselves. There is the Non-WWI Aviation forum here, which would be a good place for a thread about flying experiences.

Steve

hank jarrett · 12 December 2008, 07:48 PM

Doesn't matter to me where we post them, I just want to read them. Wherever it ends up please post a link to them here so we can add the location to our favorites. I always liked the "there I was" type articles. Connecting them to WW-1 flying (even when they didn't happen in WW-1 planes) makes them even more valuable.
Any one of those first hand experiences could the be the one that saves one of us from the same hazard.
Hank

Joe Perkel · 12 December 2008, 08:04 PM

Discussion.....

Any review of aviation safety in general is helpful in that it should contribute favorably to "pilot state of mind", and "go no go" ,... both critical elements.

Ok then, I'll redirect to directly relevant WWI replica issues

It's going to be years before I fly one of these things (WWI replica). One thing I know for sure, between now and then even if I want to,... I wont be getting any time in one! Despite known deficiencies, I still do (as do others), want to build one of these things,..why? (Rhetorical question).

So what do I know with some degree of certainty about handling characteristics, and what can I learn or do about it?....

1) Airfoil (low lift, abrupt break)

2) Narrow speed range

3) Narrow wheel base (land plane)

Remedy?

Maintain flying speed and directional control? Hmm, sounds a bit familiar. Those mean spirited NTSB guys seem to keep accusing us pilots of failing to maintain either or both!

So a question that comes to my mind then.....

What production dual aircraft can best simulate and practice for this apparent squirreliness prior to test flight?

Joe Perkel · 12 December 2008, 08:36 PM

I just finished reading the preliminary on the Rhinebeck accident...

http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/GenPDF.asp?id=NYC08LA281&rpt=p

Noteworthy is the interview with the Fokker pilot regarding the in depth pre-flight briefing and carefully pre-planned aerial choreography,...real pro's at work here.

Easy for me to come to a simple conclusion....

If it got away from him, it could most certainly get away from me.

Nick · 12 December 2008, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Perkel

Noteworthy is the interview with the Fokker pilot regarding the in depth pre-flight briefing and carefully pre-planned aerial choreography

Can’t stress the importance enough of a good brief before doing any formation display work.
Practicing the routine and then sticking to it and not getting carried away or changing it on the day.
Having said that you get used to flying with a bunch of guys that you’d trust your life with and get to know exactly what they can and can’t do or will & won’t.
The problem comes up when occasionally you find yourself hanging off the wing of someone you’ve not flown with before. A thorough brief and good communication is then even more the order of the day.

Cheers, Nick

SCMc · 13 December 2008, 01:11 AM

Quote:

Ok then, I'll redirect to directly relevant WWI replica issues

Hi Joe Perkel,

I hope that you don't think I was trying to limit the topic here to WWI aviation. It does not bother me if the topic wanders a bit. I just wanted to reassure j ferguson that we were interested in his experiences, and that the Aerodrome does have a place for non-WWI topics, since he was concerned with being off topic.

As Hank wrote:

Quote:

Doesn't matter to me where we post them, I just want to read them.

Steve

Major Larabee · 13 December 2008, 04:32 AM

For displaying anytning, let alone a WW1 replica a thourough brief and a practiced routineis essential for a safe display. A this years Sywell display we had 10 replica's in a WW1 set piece that lasted 15 mins.
This was practiced and briefed and walked through many times before displayed, also all pilots involved were experianced replica and display pilots. The Display was a set piece that was split into three seperate displays flown at different altitudes and distance from the crowd, result, an impressive sky full of aeroplanes displayed very safely.
Going back to basics a bit further, their are many on here who are building there own WW1 A/C. When their pride and joy is finished and its ready to fly do you have the skills to fly it??
I know that every one will wont to be the first one to fly their aeroplane but hand on heart can you say that you are able?
If all goes well its one thing, but what if theres a problem, can you cope?
The aded pressure on you can be fatal.
If at all unsure get someone who has done it all before to do the first flights, in your pride and joy, you can then relax and see it in all its glory. There was a recent SE5 first flight that ended in a badly damaged A/C, thankfully it was no worse.
Also, is where you are planing to fly it from suitable?? it may be your local field but is id ideal for that first flight??? one narrow runway out of wind is not a good choice, big field with lots of choice is ideal but i know that is not always avilable but make sure its the best available with options if it all goes wrong!!

Jeff Brooks · 13 December 2008, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Major Larabee

I know that every one will want to be the first one to fly their aeroplane but hand on heart can you say that you are able?

I won't be the first one to fly my plane. I plan to have a couple of folks who have DVII experience fly my plane when it is done. Since I have never flown a DVII before, I wouldn't know what right looks or feels like. I have asked two experienced DVII pilots if they were interested in flying my DVII and give me a report as to how it flies compared to other DVIIs, and look for input for adjustments for the plane. They both seemed very interested in it.