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Mark,
This was my original paragraph
in a post discussing the safety of parts and maintenance: " I have no problem with pushing our Lancair's to
their limit, as Lance
intended, but always know what you're flying. Pushing
my Lancair over 300 mph is always a thrill but all the systems are well
maintained and proven with many flight hours."
That was ALL I said that
started this Vne fire storm. I never advocated anyone else to fly this
speed. I never said I took unsuspecting passengers on dangerous flights. I never
offered to take anyone past Vne. I never said it was safe to take someone else's
plane past Vne. That was it, nothing, nada, no
more!!!!
From that one line I was hung
on a cross and stoned. At that point you're damn right I was ready to defend
what I know to be true, and the facts. And the truth is, Lancair's are and have
been pushed safely past their published limits. The facts are, Lancair's DO NOT
come apart from flutter, there is absolutely no proof of
this.
Lancair's do crash, and
perhaps a bit more then the norm, but considering the high performance nature of
these aircrafts and the fact ANYONE can buy one, it's not right to condemn
the aircraft when every crash in a Lancair was, in one form or another, pilot
error.
Slow approaches are the lion
share of crashes, flying into know storms (LNC- 4), spins, engine failure on
departure, etc. Some of these afflict any aircraft and some are prone to high
performance aircraft, like our Lancair's. I have witnessed most of these events.
Poor choices or just pure lack of ability was the fault, not the aircraft.
I defend everything I've said
concerning the Lancair capabilities, they are more aircraft then most pilots
utilize. Their history proves this.
Again, I have never in any
posts, suggested any pilot fly beyond his or hers ability or comfort level. My
posts are very explicit concerning the quality of a built aircraft, the
conditions being flown, parts & maintenance and, of course, pilot
ability. I never even said "Vne was a meaningless number"!! I didn't start the
Vne thread!!
I share in everyone's concern
for safety and I've seen more then my share of destroyed Lancair's, and
fatalities. But not one pilot I ever knew, living or deceased, was forced
into flying his aircraft. He flew it on his own terms, made his own decisions.
For that I commend them. Truth is, I feel safer in my Lancair then I do driving
to the airport.
If someone chooses to take my
comments out of context and feels I personally guarantee their safety in
any Lancair, then I would say that's pilot error. I don't condone this nor have
I advocated this. Any pilot in any aircraft, from a student to Bob Hoover, makes
their own decisions. I believe most everyone in this community is fully aware of
the consequences that awaits them if they fail to maintain their aircraft and
abilities. One person's aircraft and abilities do not reflect anyone else's.
Randy
Stuart
LNC-2
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 6:41
AM
Subject: [LML] Re: Vne is NOT a
meaningless number
Randy,
You are correct, we ARE all individuals who make our own choices. We are
also, however, members of a community. This particular community has borne
more than it's share of casualties of late; I would recommend you forgive the
membership for looking out for one of its own.
There's making a point, and there's making a point. While some folks are
certainly more abrasive than others, in light of the current dynamic in the
community, I would encourage you to assume the best intentions of all who
offer comments about safety.Although some have made it seem as though they are
more worried about their bottom line when it comes to their insurance premium;
I would be willing to bet if asked, ALL of them would tell you the idea of you
(or someone following in your footsteps) getting hurt or bending an aircraft
poses their greatest concern -- at least it does for me.
Below, I've copied a few comments from your previous posts on the subject
of Vne. I would encourage you to review these and consider how they might
be taken by a relatively new, inexperienced or impressionable pilot, perhaps
one who did not build his or her aircraft, but believes they have a perfect
specimen. You've used many terms like 'I believe,' 'it would be my guess,'
etc, which tells us you are posting your opinion, but you've added the word
'stats' more than once suggesting your opinion is based on relevant data. The
long and the short of it is you've made several definitive statements
suggesting the Vne published by the factory is too conservative and can be
safely ignored.
I think if you are honest with yourself you will agree that while not
necessarily encouraging dangerous attitudes and ideas, they certainly don't
make a case for erring on the side of caution. Again, given the numbers of
recent Lancair accidents -- many fatal -- caution and prudence seem the safest
bet, especially when discussing a subject such as limitations.
I would ask how you might feel to discover a brand new LNC-2 purchaser
had hurt him/herself -- or a pax -- based on your advice.
I don't mean to offend you, and I don't pose the above hypothetical to be
nasty or flippant; I'm trying to show how I (and perhaps a few others who've
expressed their concerns) view the situation. I would also ask that you take a
step back and reconsider your reaction to the community's concern. I for one
am glad beyond words to know that if others in my tribe believe I am doing
something that could be considered dangerous they are not afraid to speak up
-- even if they believe it might offend me.
Respectfully,
Mark Sletten
--Original Messages-----
From: Randy <randystuart@hotmail.com>
To:
lml
Subject: [LML] Re: Vne is NOT a meaningless number
This is a forum about Lancair's, geared to a Lancair
community. We are not all gray, we are all individuals, we all make our own
choices. Not to be judged.
I believe Lance,
like other designers, always sets the safe limits to the lowest common
denominator. They take into consideration the worst builders that cut corners,
use to much resin, build heavy or not straight, etc. Under these conditions
Vne would be an unsafe speed, but a light quality built,
straight aircraft would be safe beyond the published limits. Again,
these are published numbers in a POH that covers multiple models of aircraft.
Not from the "Builder" but the kit maker. I wonder what the Vne was on the
actual test plane Lance built? It would be my guess the Vne was much
higher then the POH.
Lance designed and
manufactured a very strong very advanced kit, if built right, as intended,
it will far exceed your expectations. And the only flutter you'll get is
when your heart flutters from the performance Lance designed for pilots that
are willing to enjoy it.
LNC-2's have safely flown
faster then mine as well as raced far beyond the arbitrary published limits
in the Lancair owners manual. These are for
reference.
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