Is This the Craziest Pilot Maneuver Ever Caught on Camera?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a video showcasing a potentially dangerous pilot maneuver involving a military jet, specifically an Argentinian Pampa. Participants share their reactions, personal anecdotes related to flying, and reflections on the nature of risky flying behaviors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Personal anecdotes

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express disbelief at the pilot's actions, suggesting that such maneuvers are reckless and could lead to fatal consequences.
  • Others share personal experiences of risky flying situations, comparing them to the video and reflecting on the thrill and danger involved.
  • A few participants mention the concept of "ground effect" and its role in stabilizing altitude during low passes.
  • There are references to cultural touchstones, such as the book "Catch 22," to illustrate the absurdity of the situation.
  • Some participants speculate on the pilot's experience level, debating whether the pilot was a trainee or an experienced flyer showing off.
  • One participant recounts a past incident involving a Navy pilot and a train, highlighting the recklessness of certain flying behaviors.
  • Another participant shares a story about a close call with engine failure while flying, emphasizing the importance of understanding aircraft technology and emergency procedures.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the maneuver was dangerous and could have resulted in serious injury or death. However, there are multiple competing views regarding the pilot's experience and the appropriateness of such maneuvers, leaving the discussion unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various personal experiences that may not be universally applicable, and there are differing opinions on the implications of "ground effect" in the context of low flying. The discussion includes anecdotal evidence that may lack rigorous assessment.

fluidistic
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Close call, "crazy" pilot

Judge by yourself.
First video, on ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eebBjs507Yc&feature=related.
Second video, pilot camera (watch from second 50 if you want the action) .
The plane is a Pampa, from Argentina if you're interested.
 
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fluidistic said:
Judge by yourself.
First video, on ground: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eebBjs507Yc&feature=related.
Second video, pilot camera (watch from second 50 if you want the action) .
The plane is a Pampa, from Argentina if you're interested.


I bet this guy isn't flying anymore, that is a military jet, Argentinian perhaps ?

Rhody... :bugeye:
 
Last edited by a moderator:


It reminds me a scene from Catch 22.
 


rhody said:
I bet this guy isn't flying anymore, that is a military jet, Argentinian perhaps ?

Rhody... :bugeye:
Vought high-wing trainer jet.
 


turbo-1 said:
Vought high-wing trainer jet.

A pilot in training (no, say it isn't so...), or a seasoned pilot showing off for a trainee (more likely) ?

Rhody...

P.S. He couldn't have been more than five feet off the ground.
 


:eek:
 


That pilot is crazy! He just needed to have a hiccup and he wouldn't be alive aymore...
 


OMG. The guys on the ground had to dive for their lives.
 


rhody said:
P.S. He couldn't have been more than five feet off the ground.

I would estimate about two feet for the first jet. You can get a very good still frame if you pause the video.

Edit: After watching it again, it seems like it was a very close call for the camera guy. I don't know how the wing missed him.
 
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  • #10


That was part of the story in Catch 22, but it was propeller, not wing, that killed someone.
 
  • #11


Unfortunately I have to assess that this footage appears to be genuine and I have been there too :rolleyes: Albeit as a student, since my instructor seemed to be member of the darwin award community. The only thing I can say in his favor is that the so called "ground effect" helps to stabilize the altitude.

But it's crazy.
 
  • #12


Beats having to mow the grass.
 
  • #13


Andre said:
... and I have been there too :rolleyes:

Twice for me.

Once with a father-in-law; under bridge on the Kansas river,

Once with a United Airlines Pilot; buzzed rock climbers at Red Rock Colorado while in the Army Reserves. :bugeye:
 
  • #14


Andre said:
Unfortunately I have to assess that this footage appears to be genuine and I have been there too :rolleyes: Albeit as a student, since my instructor seemed to be member of the darwin award community. The only thing I can say in his favor is that the so called "ground effect" helps to stabilize the altitude.

But it's crazy.
I have been in some hairy situations in planes thanks to family relationships with bush-pilots, and a professional relationship with the Maine warden service. Nothing as nuts as ground-hugging pass in the OP, but still pretty darned scary when you're looking at the trees on the opposite shore of a small pond and you just "know" that the floats won't clear them. There are lots of tiny ponds in northern Maine, and there are float-plane businesses that exist just to get fishermen in and out of these places, so the pilots are pretty adept.
 
  • #15


My father knew a fellow Navy pilot (pre-WWII Texas) who approached a train at night with his training aircraft, then turned his headlight on at the last minute. Apparently the train had to limp home on squared wheels. (I do not endorse this, just report it.)
 
  • #16


Loren Booda said:
Beats having to mow the grass.

How can I hire this guy!?
 
  • #17


dlgoff said:
Once with a United Airlines Pilot; buzzed rock climbers at Red Rock Colorado while in the Army Reserves. :bugeye:

turbo-1 said:
I have been in some hairy situations in planes thanks to family relationships with bush-pilots, and a professional relationship with the Maine warden service. Nothing as nuts as ground-hugging pass in the OP, but still pretty darned scary when you're looking at the trees on the opposite shore of a small pond and you just "know" that the floats won't clear them. There are lots of tiny ponds in northern Maine, and there are float-plane businesses that exist just to get fishermen in and out of these places, so the pilots are pretty adept.

You reminded me of another incident with the United Pilot I mentioned. We decided to take a look at the Aspen trees that were in full fall color in the Rocky mountains. We flew out of Colorado Springs and climbed high enough to get above the mountains for a good view.

The pilot forgot to turn the carburetor heat on and the engine stalled. We dropped down between ravines on Cheyenne Mountain before getting the engine started. Very good look at the aspens as they passed the windows at about 150 MPH.
 
  • #18


dlgoff said:
You reminded me of another incident with the United Pilot I mentioned. We decided to take a look at the Aspen trees that were in full fall color in the Rocky mountains. We flew out of Colorado Springs and climbed high enough to get above the mountains for a good view.

The pilot forgot to turn the carburetor heat on and the engine stalled. We dropped down between ravines on Cheyenne Mountain before getting the engine started. Very good look at the aspens as they passed the windows at about 150 MPH.

Don,

Did you get into the KYAGB position ? Better yet, did you pee your pants ?

Rhody... :eek:
 
  • #19


My buddy forgot carb heat when we buzzed the nude beach on key biscayne in 1982.

The pass was much lower than intended and he was reaching for the flaps when I got the engine cranked.

He flew and I (A&P) worked on getting the engine restarted.

The up side to this event was him deciding to learn all he could of the technology and emergency proceedures.

He calls me up every few months to relate how his complete understanding of the planes he now flies (currently 747 for evergreen) has allowed him to convince less mechanially inclined captains that something needs attention before it snowballs into something serious.
 
  • #20


rhody said:
Don,

Did you get into the KYAGB position ? Better yet, did you pee your pants ?

Rhody... :eek:

Yes and yes. :frown:

Worst thing was we ended up coming out of the mountains over the Air Force academy's controlled air space. We were promptly told to get the hell out. Which we did.
 

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