---------------------------------------------------------- Rocket-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 08/18/08: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 07:10 AM - Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report (Jeff Linebaugh) 2. 07:54 AM - Re: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report (J Nelson) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 07:10:07 AM PST US From: "Jeff Linebaugh" Subject: Rocket-List: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report Several people asked for a summary of our Rocket Safety Seminar at Oshkosh. Were it is in not so short form. I welcome any additions, corrections, or suggestions. Feel free to contact me directly off list. Thanks, Jeff Linebaugh jefflinebaugh@bellsouth.net The safety seminar was well attended. More than 25 people took time out of their AirVenture experience to participate. It was a diverse group: builders and flyers with F1s, Harmons, and hybrids, geographically varied, experienced and not so. We had a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience not often see in a flying group. It was a great opportunity to put faces with names and get to know other Rocketeers. We started with a short review of Rocket accidents. Most plaguing were several accidents that occurred maneuvering close to the ground and/or while performing aerobatics, with no aircraft anomalies found. There were also two forced landings. Compared to RV-type aircraft, we evidently have a greater chance of falling prey to the temptations of low level aerobatics. We then passed on lessons learned and experiences. Some of the topics were: * Spins and aerobatics o Differences with a passenger/aft CG o Hammerheads, and the risks of inadvertent spin entry o Differences between upright and inverted spin recoveries o Differences between learning aerobatics in a Decathlon or Pitts and flying them in a rocket * Engine failure glide ratios: counter weighted propellers vs. non counter weighted, different props and rpm settings and their affect on glide performance * Low altitude engine failures: when not to turn back to the runway * Inverted oil systems: risks and maintenance requirements We stand much better odds of improving personal safety as a group than as a bunch of individuals. Learning from each others experiences, and using our varied talents and resources will reap benefits for everyone. Overall, communication is the key in identifying and solving problems. To this end, Mark Frederick volunteered to help set up a private forum for Rocket owners only, aimed at sharing useful and positive information (in contrast to the open, and often misused Matronics forum). Several suggestions were made by the group in the interest of safety. Suggestions that fell into the area of flying and operating the aircraft: * Identify high risk practices and develop a list of procedures and maneuvers to avoid. For instance: o Low-level aerobatics o Showing off or performing maneuvers at the spur of the moment without forethought, proper training or practice o Performing high pitch angle/low airspeed maneuvers (for instance, hammerheads) without understanding the risks of inadvertent spin/inverted spin entries and recovery procedures o Over-the-top aerobatics or spins with an aft CG/heavy weight passenger o Engine hot starts with high throttle settings and/or locked brakes resulting in nose-overs * Encourage owners to fly with one another (with egos checked at the door) to observe each others good and bad habits o Highlights differences between airframes and helps start an exchange of information * Develop a personal safety creed to make a conscious decision on the ground to avoid high risk situations and actions. Help support others in adhering to their safety creed. For instance: o I will not perform low level aerobatics or aggressive maneuvers below XXXX AGL o I will not fly VFR with ceilings less than XXXX, XXXX in mountainous terrain o I will identify and fix known aircraft malfunctions promptly o I will always take X minutes to perform a proper preflight inspection o I will not fly when impaired physically in any way o Etc >From the Maintenance and Airworthiness side of the equation: * Identify maintenance areas to pay closer attention to o Re-torque gear legs at oil changes o Engine baffling o Tailwheel spring attach bracket o Control linkages, rod-ends and use of washers o Engine mounts o Empennage and spar attach points * Realize the additional strain placed on aircraft used regularly for aerobatics and increase inspection requirements * Have an experienced and concerned independent person look over your aircraft o the builder may have a prejudiced eye when it comes to inspecting and maintaining their own aircraft o a non-builder may not have the experience or know how to maintain their own aircraft o It may be hard on the pride, but having a critical but considerate individual inspect our airplanes may help point out deficiencies. In any case, it helps start an exchange of information. o Put together a for fun fly-in competition where we all look at each others planes to see who can find the most items that could be improved? Conclusion: It was worthwhile time spent with other Rocketeers. The session was well received and most came away feeling positive and better informed. Many expressed an interest in continuing with similar gatherings and new measures focused on Rocket safety. We fly, or are building to fly one of the best sport aircraft on the planet. To be able to maximize the thrill of flying this great aircraft safely, and be able to encourage others to do the same would be a great goal! Jeff Linebaugh jefflinebaugh@bellsouth.net ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 07:54:18 AM PST US From: "J Nelson" Subject: RE: Rocket-List: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report Well done Jeff. Wish I could have been there. Greg Nelson F-1 Rocket N144X _____ From: owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com [mailto:owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Linebaugh Sent: Monday, August 18, 2008 7:07 AM Subject: Rocket-List: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report Several people asked for a summary of our Rocket Safety Seminar at Oshkosh. Were it is in not so short form. I welcome any additions, corrections, or suggestions. Feel free to contact me directly off list. Thanks, Jeff Linebaugh jefflinebaugh@bellsouth.net The safety seminar was well attended. More than 25 people took time out of their AirVenture experience to participate. It was a diverse group: builders and flyers with F1s, Harmons, and "hybrids", geographically varied, experienced and not so. We had a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience not often see in a flying group. It was a great opportunity to put faces with names and get to know other Rocketeers. We started with a short review of Rocket accidents. Most plaguing were several accidents that occurred "maneuvering" close to the ground and/or while performing aerobatics, with no aircraft anomalies found. There were also two forced landings. Compared to RV-type aircraft, we evidently have a greater chance of falling prey to the temptations of low level aerobatics. We then passed on lessons learned and experiences. Some of the topics were: * Spins and aerobatics o Differences with a passenger/aft CG o Hammerheads, and the risks of inadvertent spin entry o Differences between upright and inverted spin recoveries o Differences between learning aerobatics in a Decathlon or Pitts and flying them in a rocket * Engine failure glide ratios: counter weighted propellers vs. non counter weighted, different props and rpm settings and their affect on glide performance * Low altitude engine failures: when not to turn back to the runway * Inverted oil systems: risks and maintenance requirements We stand much better odds of improving personal safety as a group than as a bunch of individuals. Learning from each other's experiences, and using our varied talents and resources will reap benefits for everyone. Overall, communication is the key in identifying and solving problems. To this end, Mark Frederick volunteered to help set up a private forum for Rocket owners only, aimed at sharing useful and positive information (in contrast to the open, and often misused Matronics forum). Several suggestions were made by the group in the interest of safety. Suggestions that fell into the area of flying and operating the aircraft: * Identify high risk practices and develop a list of procedures and maneuvers to avoid. For instance: o Low-level aerobatics o Showing off or performing maneuvers at the spur of the moment without forethought, proper training or practice o Performing high pitch angle/low airspeed maneuvers (for instance, hammerheads) without understanding the risks of inadvertent spin/inverted spin entries and recovery procedures o Over-the-top aerobatics or spins with an aft CG/heavy weight passenger o Engine hot starts with high throttle settings and/or locked brakes resulting in nose-overs * Encourage owners to fly with one another (with ego's checked at the door) to observe each other's good and bad habits o Highlights differences between airframes and helps start an exchange of information * Develop a personal safety creed to make a conscious decision on the ground to avoid high risk situations and actions. Help support others in adhering to their safety creed. For instance: o I will not perform low level aerobatics or aggressive maneuvers below XXXX' AGL o I will not fly VFR with ceilings less than XXXX', XXXX' in mountainous terrain o I will identify and fix known aircraft malfunctions promptly o I will always take X minutes to perform a proper preflight inspection o I will not fly when impaired physically in any way o Etc. >From the Maintenance and Airworthiness side of the equation: * Identify maintenance areas to pay closer attention to o Re-torque gear legs at oil changes o Engine baffling o Tailwheel spring attach bracket o Control linkages, rod-ends and use of washers o Engine mounts o Empennage and spar attach points * Realize the additional strain placed on aircraft used regularly for aerobatics and increase inspection requirements * Have an experienced and concerned independent person look over your aircraft o the builder may have a prejudiced eye when it comes to inspecting and maintaining their own aircraft o a non-builder may not have the experience or know how to maintain their own aircraft o It may be hard on the pride, but having a critical but considerate individual inspect our airplanes may help point out deficiencies. In any case, it helps start an exchange of information. o Put together a "for fun" fly-in competition where we all look at each other's planes to see who can find the most items that could be improved.? Conclusion: It was worthwhile time spent with other Rocketeers. The session was well received and most came away feeling positive and better informed. Many expressed an interest in continuing with similar gatherings and new measures focused on Rocket safety. We fly, or are building to fly one of the best sport aircraft on the planet. To be able to maximize the thrill of flying this great aircraft safely, and be able to encourage others to do the same would be a great goal! Jeff Linebaugh jefflinebaugh@bellsouth.net ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message rocket-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/Rocket-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/rocket-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/rocket-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.