See: "Spectators' Deaths Highlight Risks of Popular Aerial Racing."
Monday 19 September 2011
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4 comments:
I'll bet if they race next year it will be to an all time record crowd with live TV.
"These guys are always on the edge knowing one wrong move, in one split second, could mean the end," the Leeward Air Ranch Racing Team website says. "NASCAR at 200 mph? Indy at 230 mph? Top Fuel at 300 mph? Mere Childs play. Welcome to the Big League."
"Pilot Ray Sherwood of Placerville, Calif., who raced at Reno from 1986 to 2005, said he's convinced that the crash was caused by modifications leading the trim tab to snap off. He said the same problem caused a modified P-51 Mustang to plunge into a neighborhood during the races in 1999, killing veteran pilot Gary Levitz."
This is one of the same planes that flew over Europe out of England bases to protect bombers and then chase down and have some fun with targets of opportunity that led to the end of WWII with a big A Victory for the allied forces. BUT, this particular airplane had many mods to make it a real go fast.
Inherent with any and all go fasts, there is danger in them and around them. In over 47 years of air racing 20 pilots have been killed. This is the first time spectators were killed. It is sad, very sad, especially when you go to get entertained and end up in baggies.
Nine deaths so far. Not all are out of the woods so to speak.
There was another air show death today in the east. One plane in formation, dropped out and crashed in a ball of fire. Nobody in harms way sans the pilot.
Keep sharp for number three. They always come in three's.
But this is not the time to stop this form of competition and entertainment. Many people die each year from may different things. Air show deaths are pretty small in that death bucket. Compared to the thrills one can experience at one. Yes it's worth the risks.
The above quotes came from here;http://news.yahoo.com/plane-nv-crash-had-radical-changes-compete-223910102.html
The P-51 was arguably the finest fighter (Pursuit) plane in WW-II. It even bested the ME-262 (German Jet) in most combat engagements.
But it was designed to fly and fight at 400 mph. Not 500, especially 60+ years after the basic airframe was constructed.
I don't mean to demean Mr Leeward's fine airman abilities but, even the greatest pilot (fighter and stunt) in the world: Bob Hoover wouldn't touch the much modified Galloping Ghost. Bob knows his limits and the limits of every plane he ever flew. That's why he's still walking, talking and breathing at almost 90 years of age.
Push any envelope far enough and it'll tear.
Not sure what I have less regard for, the idiotic layout at Stead, where planes exit the bottom turn aimed directly at the stands, or the simple fact that the deadly history of the pursuit just defines it as mad.
Unless it's eulogizing such a avoidable loss as this as a tragedy or disaster.
It's neither. It's sanctioned madness gussied up in some odd blend of misplaced patriotism and ingrown machismo. I watched a man auger in and die there half a dozen years ago and based on the crowd reaction - which was nearly none - vowed to never return. the show must go on.
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