LancairDriver - 10-18-2010 at 08:29 AM
For those who travel as passengers on private aircraft in Baja, or anywhere else for that matter, it wouldn't hurt to ask your pilot a few questions
regarding weather, aircraft loading, fuel status, etc. If you know the right questions, your pilot shouldn't mind briefing you on these critical
points. The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn. has put out an excellent video that takes you along on an actual ill fated flight and gives a very good
picture of a situation you would never want to put yourself in. Too often, passengers blindly trust all of this critical information is taken care of
by the pilot. This video shows what a mistake that can be.
While it is way to early to judge, some of these factors could have been in play in the recent tragic crash in Baja.
Here is the link to the AOPA Video.
http://flash.aopa.org/asf/acs_crosscountry/?hkey=3609187843&...
[Edited on 10-18-2010 by BajaNomad]
Skeet/Loreto - 10-18-2010 at 12:41 PM
LancairDriver:
I am sure you mean well in your Post as well as the AOPA.
The main difference in Private Aircrat Travel in the Past years in Baja has been the Lack of navigation tools. This has just about been taken care of
with Satialite communication.
I would strongly suggest to any passengers that they do not take a Pilots Attention away from him during Preflight.
I can only see one thing that a Passenger might observe and then not go on a Flight; That is if he knows the Pilot has been Drinking or DOPING
Another thing a Passenger might think about is if the Pilot has only a Students Certificate and very few actual Hours. This would have to be done by
asking to see a Certificate or Log Book.
98% of all General Aircraft Accidents are still "Pilot Error" It has been this way for many years
As a Precaution a Passenger should make Inquries prior to making a decesion on where to Fly with someone who has not been recommended.
My suggestion before flying in a Private Aircraft in Baja is to ask the Pilots experience in "How many Hours and Trips and where has he flown in Baja.
I would ask the same in the States.
I would ask if he had a Glider Experience or Rating.
I would ask if he had read a Book "Exploring the Monster"
I would ask if he was a "Tail-Dragger Pilot"?
I would ask if he had any "Short Field Land Experience in the past 6 months.{There are very few Paved Strips in Baja in case of an Emergency and you
are close enough}
Last but not Least i would ask if his Aircraft has it current Annual.
skeet/Loreto
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capt. mike - 10-18-2010 at 02:19 PM
"98% of all General Aircraft Accidents are still "Pilot Error" It has been this way for many years"
Skeet i don't think that is true. you'd have to show me the stats reference be it the ASF from AOPA or the FAA's published recap.
i do believe it to be the majority cause but not to that level.
Richard collins used to ref the number a lot but i don't read him much anymore.
Bruce Landsberg would know.
Skeet/Loreto - 10-18-2010 at 02:44 PM
Mike: Go into the NTSB reports and check. I will get the Info as I was surprised that it was still the same as when I was in the Business.
Skeet
Skeet/Loreto - 10-18-2010 at 02:54 PM
Mike; Just checked it out , Go take a Look.
It has changed to about 74% is Pilot error and some of that is due to the Weather Options.
I stand corrected.When I was working we did not have the many different accident causes to make the Stats look as they do.
Anyway you look at it. People make Errors Aircraft do Not.
capt. mike - 10-18-2010 at 04:01 PM
thx Skeet good info.
i quit flying single engine at night over rough terrain [ read mountains ] years ago. now i want a twin!! hahaha. that will be the day. but it would
let me get home from havasu if i wanted to leave after dark.
Skeet/Loreto - 10-18-2010 at 04:05 PM
Mike; My Ole Friend from the La Fonda. Slow down and enjoy some of that great time in Baja and Keep Flying in the Day Time.
Don"t Squeeze to Hard. Just take an extra Day. Money can never buy the Experience of Baja!!
Skeet
capt. mike - 10-19-2010 at 02:50 AM
yeah i can eat up a lot of overnights at hotels before i come close to the operating cost of a twin, even a light one like a twinco which i lust for!