---------------------------------------------------------- Commander-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 07/11/06: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:33 AM - Re: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin blame on pilots (Bill Bow) 2. 06:22 AM - Re: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin blame on pilots (Deneal Schilmeister (Portege)) 3. 07:01 PM - Re: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin (W J R HAMILTON) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:33:22 AM PST US From: "Bill Bow" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin blame on pilots After 26 years of night freight I have observed that freight moves at night and the FAA works 9AM to 5PM. They only come out at night when the absolutely have to. When they do, they may or may not know what is going on in the airplane. When I flew Electras there were only 2 or three FAA people in the country who had even the faintest idea of how it worked or whether it was working correctly. Ours NEVER were. So there are no cops watching then to keep them honest. I think Mr. Tower is one, but would be hard pressed to name another. bilbo _____ [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of YOURTCFG@aol.com Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 12:21 AM pilots In a message dated 7/10/2006 3:27:42 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, skyhawkc-172@comcast.net writes: Maybe some cargo operators should take notice at what JT has done... AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!! jb ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:22:50 AM PST US From: "Deneal Schilmeister (Portege)" Subject: RE: Commander-List: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin blame on pilots Hi Bilbo: I agree with you re the FAA, but I can recall a few ramp checks at night in FAA-located airports on nights before 3 day weekends. When I first knew John Towner, I was impressed on how seriously he took the flying freight business. I know of another Commander freight guy out west in the late 1970s who made his planes freighters by cutting out the rear bulkhead of his 680s. John Towner made a process out of taking old Commanders and turning them into reliable STANDARDIZED freighters. Some of you may be old enough to remember that these airplanes were equipped in all sorts of different ways. I'm sure Jimbo can attest to the weird things that owners would put in their planes. John would start out by ripping out the original instrument panels and install standard instruments and a whole new King IFR radio stack. This would ease pilot training and pilot confusion. He insisted on front door airplanes, and I believe he even installed a front door on at least one airplane. He finished up by repainting his airplanes in a standardized paint job. In the last few years he has abandoned the standard paint, not wanting to appear obvious as an air carrier. (Although most aviators, seeing a 500B flying at night, would be 90% sure it was a Central Air commander) He provided the test-bed plane for the Cleveland Brakes STC. He was on the forefront when new improved lightweight starters were made available, and of course, he is known for his development of the TKS icing system. And just this year, he and his son Andrew have developed a computerized view Commander simulator, Not to mention having the relationships required to have Bob Hoover fly his airshow at a company picnic at least two times! For a night freight guy, in a world of fly-by-night operators, John Towner is different. He really cares. Once we had a guy run a 690A out of fuel. He walked away from a night crash landing. I was mad because this particular 690 was my favorite airplane in our fleet at the time. But the very next day, John asked me to take this pilot up for a little recurrent training, to help the pilot's confidence by getting him "back on the horse" right away. He truly cares for people and should be in the Commander Hall of Fame. 26 years after I first met him, we are still friends. <\soapbox> ___________________________ Deneal Schilmeister St. Louis - Cincinnati 1997 SL500 http://homepage.mac.com/deneals/SL500.htm -----Original Message----- [mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Bill Bow Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 7:32 AM on pilots After 26 years of night freight I have observed that freight moves at night and the FAA works 9AM to 5PM. They only come out at night when the absolutely have to. When they do, they may or may not know what is going on in the airplane. When I flew Electras there were only 2 or three FAA people in the country who had even the faintest idea of how it worked or whether it was working correctly. Ours NEVER were. So there are no cops watching then to keep them honest. I think Mr. Towner is one, but would be hard pressed to name another. bilbo ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:01:58 PM PST US From: W J R HAMILTON Subject: RE: Commander-List: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin Bilbo and all, In our part of the world, the "mermaids" do work at night, maybe they are on a performance bonus. Thus for Alice Springs, in the "dead centre" of Australia, heard on the ATIS, "Information XXXX, RW yy, wind XXX/XX, QNH XXXX, CAVOK, mermaids in areas, on first contact with Alice tower, confirm you have information XXXX. Cheers, Bill Hamilton PS Flying Operations Inspectors ---- aka Mermaids ---- "C--ts with scales." At 10:31 PM 11/07/2006, you wrote: >After 26 years of night freight I have observed that freight moves >at night and the FAA works 9AM to 5PM. They only come out at night >when the absolutely have to. When they do, they may or may not know >what is going on in the airplane. When I flew Electras there were >only 2 or three FAA people in the country who had even the faintest >idea of how it worked or whether it was working correctly. Ours NEVER were. > >So there are no cops watching then to keep them honest. > >I think Mr. Tower is one, but would be hard pressed to name another. >bilbo > > >---------- >From: owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com >[mailto:owner-commander-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of >YOURTCFG@aol.com >Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 12:21 AM >To: commander-list@matronics.com >Subject: Re: Commander-List: Re: Probes of cargo crashes often pin >blame on pilots > >In a message dated 7/10/2006 3:27:42 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time, >skyhawkc-172@comcast.net writes: >Maybe some cargo operators should take notice at what JT has done... > >AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!! jb CONFIDENTIALITY & PRIVILEGE NOTICE W.J.R.Hamilton,Glenalmond Group Companies,Fighter Flights Internet Services and Warbirds.Net. & . This message is intended for and should only be used by the addressee. It is confidential and may contain legally privileged information.If you are not the intended recipient any use distribution,disclosure or copying of this message is strictly prohibited.Confidentiality and legal privilege attached to this communication are not waived or lost by reason of the mistaken delivery to you.If you have received this message in error, please notify us immediately to: Australia 61 (0)408 876 526 Dolores capitis non fero. Eos do.