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1. 10:18 PM - Re: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report (Smoky Ray)
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| Subject: | Re: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report |
>From one who was there...Thanks!=0ASmokey=0A=0A=0A=0A----- Original Message
----=0AFrom: J Nelson <u2nelson@prodigy.net>=0ATo: rocket-list@matronics.c
om=0ASent: Monday, August 18, 2008 7:52:45 AM=0ASubject: RE: Rocket-List: O
shkosh Safety Seminar Report=0A=0A=0AWell done Jeff.- Wish I could have b
een there.=0A-=0AGreg Nelson=0AF-1 Rocket N144X=0A-=0A=0A______________
__________________=0A=0AFrom:owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com [mailto
:owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Linebaugh=0ASent
: Monday, August 18, 2008 7:07 AM=0ATo: rocket-list@matronics.com=0ASubject
: Rocket-List: Oshkosh Safety Seminar Report=0A-=0ASeveral people asked f
or a summary of our Rocket Safety Seminar at Oshkosh .- Were it is in not
so short form. I welcome any additions, corrections, or suggestions.- Fe
el free to contact me directly off list.- Thanks,=0A-=0AJeff Linebaugh
=0Ajefflinebaugh@bellsouth.net=0A-=0A-=0AThe safety seminar was well at
tended.- More than 25 people took time out of their AirVenture experience
to participate. It was a diverse group: builders and flyers with F1s, Harm
ons, and =93hybrids=94, geographically varied, experienced and not so. We h
ad a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience not often see in a flyin
g group. It was a great opportunity to put faces with names and get to know
other Rocketeers.=0A-=0AWe started with a short review of Rocket acciden
ts. Most plaguing were several accidents that occurred =93maneuvering=94 cl
ose to the ground and/or while performing aerobatics, with no aircraft anom
alies found. There were also two forced landings. Compared to RV-type aircr
aft, we evidently have a greater chance of falling prey to the temptations
of low level aerobatics.=0AWe then passed on lessons learned and experience
s. Some of the topics were:=0A=B7------- Spins and aerobatics
=0Ao------ Differences with a passenger/aft CG -----
-- =0Ao------ Hammerheads, and the risks of inadvertent spi
n entry=0Ao------ Differences between upright and inverted spin
recoveries=0Ao------ Differences between learning aerobatics i
n a Decathlon or Pitts and flying them in a rocket=0A=B7------
- Engine failure glide ratios: counter weighted propellers vs. non counte
r weighted, different props and rpm settings and their affect on glide perf
ormance=0A=B7------- Low altitude engine failures: when not t
o turn back to the runway=0A=B7------- Inverted oil systems:
risks and maintenance requirements=0A-=0AWe stand much better odds of imp
roving personal safety as a group than as a bunch of individuals. Learning
from each other=92s experiences, and using our varied talents and resources
will reap benefits for everyone. Overall, communication is the key in iden
tifying and solving problems. To this end, Mark Frederick volunteered to he
lp set up a private forum for Rocket owners only, aimed at sharing useful a
nd positive information (in contrast to the open, and often misused Matroni
cs forum). =0A-=0ASeveral suggestions were made by the group in the inter
est of safety. Suggestions that fell into the area of flying and operating
the aircraft:=0A=B7------- Identify high risk practices and d
evelop a list of procedures and maneuvers to avoid. For instance:=0Ao--
---- Low-level aerobatics=0Ao------ Showing off or perf
orming maneuvers at the spur of the moment without forethought, proper trai
ning or practice=0Ao------ Performing high pitch angle/low airs
peed maneuvers (for instance, hammerheads) without understanding the risks
of inadvertent spin/inverted spin entries and recovery procedures=0Ao--
---- Over-the-top aerobatics or spins with an aft CG/heavy weight p
assenger =0Ao------ Engine hot starts with high throttle settin
gs and/or locked brakes resulting in nose-overs=0A=B7-------
Encourage owners to fly with one another (with ego=92s checked at the door)
to observe each other=92s good and bad habits=0Ao------ Highli
ghts differences between airframes and helps start an exchange of informati
on=0A=B7------- Develop a personal safety creed to make a con
scious decision on the ground to avoid high risk situations and actions. He
lp support others in adhering to their safety creed. For instance:=0Ao-
----- I will not perform low level aerobatics or aggressive maneu
vers below XXXX=92 AGL=0Ao------ I will not fly VFR with ceilin
gs less than XXXX=92, XXXX=92 in mountainous terrain=0Ao------
I will identify and fix known aircraft malfunctions promptly=0Ao---
--- I will always take X minutes to perform a proper preflight inspec
tion=0Ao------ I will not fly when impaired physically in any w
ay=0Ao------ Etc=85- =0AFrom the Maintenance and Airworthines
s side of the equation:=0A=B7------- Identify maintenance are
as to pay closer attention to=0Ao------ Re-torque gear legs at
oil changes=0Ao------ Engine baffling=0Ao------ Tai
lwheel spring attach bracket=0Ao------ Control linkages, rod-en
ds and use of washers=0Ao------ Engine mounts=0Ao----
-- Empennage and spar attach points- =0A=B7------- Real
ize the additional strain placed on aircraft used regularly for aerobatics
and increase inspection requirements=0A=B7------- Have an exp
erienced and concerned independent person look over your aircraft=0Ao--
---- the builder may have a prejudiced eye when it comes to inspect
ing and maintaining their own aircraft=0Ao------ a non-builder
may not have the experience or know how to maintain their own aircraft=0Ao
------ It may be hard on the pride, but having a critical but c
onsiderate individual inspect our airplanes may help point out deficiencies
.. In any case, it helps start an exchange of information.=0Ao----
-- Put together a =93for fun=94 fly-in competition where we all look at
each other=92s planes to- see who can find the most items that could be
improved=85?=0A-=0AConclusion:- It was worthwhile time spent with other
Rocketeers.- The session was well received and most came away feeling po
sitive and better informed. Many expressed an interest in continuing with s
imilar 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 t
o maximize the thrill of flying this great aircraft safely, and be able to
encourage others to do the same would be a great goal!=0A-=0AJeff Linebau
gh=0Ajefflinebaugh@bellsouth.net=0A-=0A -=0A -=0Ahttp://www.matronics
================0A=0A=0A
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