---------------------------------------------------------- Rocket-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Wed 08/02/06: 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:36 AM - FW: TBM Avenger/RV-6 accident at OSH (what to do) (Frazier, Vincent A) 2. 06:01 PM - Re: FW: TBM Avenger/RV-6 accident at OSH (what to do) (John W. Cox) 3. 07:10 PM - Re: FW: TBM Avenger/RV-6 accident at OSH (what to (Richard Riley) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:36:48 AM PST US From: "Frazier, Vincent A" Subject: Rocket-List: FW: TBM Avenger/RV-6 accident at OSH (what to do) --> Rocket-List message posted by: "Frazier, Vincent A" -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 9:29 AM Regarding the accident, I'd like to toss out a few comments just to offer some info and some related experiences. I've been flying my Rocket for 2 years and 130 hours now. It's great fun but does have its share of weaknesses. One of which is the lack of visibility over the nose when on the ground. Yes, I know all about S-turns, so save your breath on those comments please. In my Rocket I found that I could not see an RV-6 until it was much less than 100' away if the big nose was in the way. Since we had a couple of RV-8s collide on a taxiway near here a few years ago, it really bothered me that the blind spot was, well... huge and inconvenient. My RV buddies would zoom down the taxiway because they had reasonable visibility and I would follow along doing S-turns at a much slower speed. So, being a bit of a gadget freak, I decided to add a camera and LCD screen to my plane. The Sony bullet color camera (VC-806B, standard lens)and LCD screen were relatively cheap, only a few hundred bucks... next to nothing in airplane dollars. The camera is mounted in the left cowl inlet and the heat and vibration don't seem to bother it at all. The LCD screen (sorry, no p/n available) is mounted under the panel and works well even in bright sun, although it isn't quite 100% immune to sunlight glare. Now when I follow my RV buddies I still S-turn as needed, but often can simply glance at the LCD screen for confirmation. IT DOESN'T REPLACE S-TURNS, but it gives a wonderful SUPPLEMENT. (I'm trying to choose my words carefully because I know that I'll be flamed for being DIFFERENT.) I use the camera/LCD combo during virtually all of my ground ops and find it very useful!!! With a quick glance I can see pop cans, runway lights, debris, small animals, cracks in the pavement, etc, etc.... all sorts of things that I don't want to run over!!! Now to share some reactions... last year at Oshkosh a warbird pilot asked me what the LCD screen was for. When I told him that it was my "taxi assist camera" he spun on his heel and walked away shaking his head. I thought "Hmmm, whatever". I guess that he didn't think too much of my system or my skills. Now, after 2 recent accidents (that I know of) and a fatality, I wonder which mindset is correct, mine or his? http://vincesrocket.com/Additions%20after%2010-27-04.htm for more info Vince FWIW, I also wanted a cheap way to display my GRT EFIS info to the back seat passenger in my plane. GRT wants $2500 for a slave display. Another camera and LCD screen easily displays the GRT info to the rear seater and it cost 10% of what GRT wanted. Not as elegant, but 100% useful. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 06:01:51 PM PST US From: "John W. Cox" Subject: RE: Rocket-List: FW: TBM Avenger/RV-6 accident at OSH (what to do) --> Rocket-List message posted by: "John W. Cox" Dinosaurs die hard and slow. Thanks for the information and the desire to increase safety. I think it is a simple solution. John Cox -----Original Message----- [mailto:owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Frazier, Vincent A Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 7:37 AM --> Rocket-List message posted by: "Frazier, Vincent A" -----Original Message----- Sent: Wednesday, August 02, 2006 9:29 AM Regarding the accident, I'd like to toss out a few comments just to offer some info and some related experiences. I've been flying my Rocket for 2 years and 130 hours now. It's great fun but does have its share of weaknesses. One of which is the lack of visibility over the nose when on the ground. Yes, I know all about S-turns, so save your breath on those comments please. In my Rocket I found that I could not see an RV-6 until it was much less than 100' away if the big nose was in the way. Since we had a couple of RV-8s collide on a taxiway near here a few years ago, it really bothered me that the blind spot was, well... huge and inconvenient. My RV buddies would zoom down the taxiway because they had reasonable visibility and I would follow along doing S-turns at a much slower speed. So, being a bit of a gadget freak, I decided to add a camera and LCD screen to my plane. The Sony bullet color camera (VC-806B, standard lens)and LCD screen were relatively cheap, only a few hundred bucks... next to nothing in airplane dollars. The camera is mounted in the left cowl inlet and the heat and vibration don't seem to bother it at all. The LCD screen (sorry, no p/n available) is mounted under the panel and works well even in bright sun, although it isn't quite 100% immune to sunlight glare. Now when I follow my RV buddies I still S-turn as needed, but often can simply glance at the LCD screen for confirmation. IT DOESN'T REPLACE S-TURNS, but it gives a wonderful SUPPLEMENT. (I'm trying to choose my words carefully because I know that I'll be flamed for being DIFFERENT.) I use the camera/LCD combo during virtually all of my ground ops and find it very useful!!! With a quick glance I can see pop cans, runway lights, debris, small animals, cracks in the pavement, etc, etc.... all sorts of things that I don't want to run over!!! Now to share some reactions... last year at Oshkosh a warbird pilot asked me what the LCD screen was for. When I told him that it was my "taxi assist camera" he spun on his heel and walked away shaking his head. I thought "Hmmm, whatever". I guess that he didn't think too much of my system or my skills. Now, after 2 recent accidents (that I know of) and a fatality, I wonder which mindset is correct, mine or his? http://vincesrocket.com/Additions%20after%2010-27-04.htm for more info Vince FWIW, I also wanted a cheap way to display my GRT EFIS info to the back seat passenger in my plane. GRT wants $2500 for a slave display. Another camera and LCD screen easily displays the GRT info to the rear seater and it cost 10% of what GRT wanted. Not as elegant, but 100% useful. ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 07:10:47 PM PST US From: Richard Riley Subject: Re: Rocket-List: FW: TBM Avenger/RV-6 accident at OSH (what to --> Rocket-List message posted by: Richard Riley A few years ago the Lionheart (composite, homebuilt Beech Stagger Wing) taxied into an FAA van at Lakeland. I suggested this solution to them, then. I don't know if they ever did it. >So, being a bit of a gadget freak, I decided to add a camera and LCD >screen to my plane. The Sony bullet color camera (VC-806B, standard >lens)and LCD screen were relatively cheap, only a few hundred bucks... >next to nothing in airplane dollars. The camera is mounted in the left >cowl inlet and the heat and vibration don't seem to bother it at all. >The LCD screen (sorry, no p/n available) is mounted under the panel and >works well even in bright sun, although it isn't quite 100% immune to >sunlight glare. -- Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.