Several questions need to be asked of the RV pilot before rendering any form of evaluation of whether he made a good call or not, and just got bit by unexpected wind gusts. How much recency did he have at the time of the accident? How much of that time was cross country, and how much was maintaining proficiency in landings? How much of that 500 hours was in the RV? When was his last flight review? This would give an indication when the last time that a "second opinion" of his flight skills was rendered. How much total time in type? Conventional or trigear? The Principle of Primacy makes us want to revert back to whatever our primary training was in the further away we are from recency in a new or different model. What does Van publish is the recommended cross wind component for the model he was flying? More than enough models have been completed to find this information documented. How long had he been flying that day before attempting that landing? Many times good pilots who normally would not make a mistake or would be able to handle a given situation get bit because they are fatigued and don't recognize its impact on their flying until the point when they no longer can fix the problem. Were there any distractions or problems right before landing that prevented this pilot from being able to make a good/safe landing?
Take this opportunity to study what happened to this pilot, who thankfully did not die nor his passenger, and pose these other questions to your self as you plan your first and subsequent flights. I personally think that BEFORE a first flight, or any flight in a model with little to no experience solo, a pilot should have nearly the same proficiency and skill level as he did the day he got his last rating. If not take a CFI WITH experience in that type of plane with you. Once our KR is back in service I intend on assisting as many KR pilots log some time getting acquainted with a KR similar to their ship. Other makes have this, and their safety record is great. Ours should too. Engine out of the back of the truck and on the stand.... Colin & Beverly Rainey Apex Lending, Inc. 407-323-6960 (p) 407-557-3260 (f) www.eloan2004cr.com crai...@apexlending.com
