Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Mid-airs

Visual flight rules require pilots to "see and avoid" other air traffic. 

My good friend and I learned to fly at the Kadena Aero Club in Okinawa, Japan.  We split time in a Cessna 152 building cross country hood time.  We pursued and completed our ground instructor and commercial certificates.  We taught ground school together. 

Eight years later we retired after full and rewarding military careers and became flight instructors.  He was in Ohio and I in North Carolina.  We ribbed each other over the "first in flight/birthplace of aviation" rivalry.  We ribbed each other with full respect over our chosen branch of service.  It seemed that retired life was going well.

October 14, 2005 Alan was teaching a student how to hold over an NBD when he was hit from behind.  The other aircraft was on a recreational flight.  Good weather, VFR in effect.  Four humans died because the pilot did not see and avoid.   The survivors of the other aircraft hired lawyers to insult the grieving process. 

They tried to sue everyone.  The one issue that made it to court was the avionics manufacture provided a product that worked so well that the pilots we lulled into inattention.  That suit failed.

The issue of looking out the window to avoid injuring each other has migrated to the rest of society.  Texting and driving while listening to the radio and the GPS is incredibly common these days.  The same thought process of "everyone else's fault but mine" is alive and well. 

I am glad I got to know Allen.  I miss him.  He loved his wife and kids.    Be careful out there.