He was no doubt a pioneer and a talented pilot, fair winds to him. God's peace to his family. Personally, I find calling it an anomaly fairly insulting though.

 

Scaled has done quite a bit over the years leading to some great breakthroughs. Condolences to the entire team, families, and freinds.



My they go forward.

 

Yes, I recognize you now, Cardio.

Your posts are not worth responding to.

Apologies to everyone else who knows not to do this and saw me trying to speak common sense to flame bait. I'll remember next time.

8

 

You seem to be totally clueless.

 

I made a very sizable donation... Should I take it back? Your posts show a completely classless nature, and naiveté that is astounding. Not worth reading, really.

Care to expound about that?

That a large company, headed by a flamboyant billionaire, is soliciting $$$ from the common man instead of making sure he is well taken care of?

That this is manifestation of a further push to "privatize" everything, except when things go wrong, and then it's "oh let's all chip in" from the public and hard-up employees of the company? Private profit, public risk, got it.

This was a project for rich guys like me to take $250,000 joyrides into space, not a scientific mission. Branson and VG should take good care of this pilot and his family. He should have had, as part of the job, a very fine insurance and be well taken care of, not setting up begging webpages. Test pilots risk their lives every day and ABSOLUTELY MUST be treated well.

If one of my employees dies, they are well taken care of. If one of my employees gets a disease on the job (as part of the job), they are well taken care of.

If you want to give your few dollars to assuage your guilt and feel good about yourself, go ahead.

"Safety first" - if you believe that... well... sorry for the reality, buddy. That is for public relations. We'll await the full report on what happened, then judge for yourself if it was "safety first." I have likely been in corporate america for a more than most of you doe-eyed idealists.


So, does anybody have any insight as to what went wrong? I can not wait to read the technical factors, and as I reflected above, it does seem as though there were warnings to the catastrophe.

 

Indeed, and hope they go forward beyond the prototyping phase and really push the limits of flight. Perhaps one day later in life I do aspire to be a part of these kind of endeavors.

Condolences to the lost pilot, hope his family is treated well, and hope he was not lost for reasons that I suspect.

I am sure that those of you who actually read and understand my posts will see that I am an advocate of pilots and aviation, with both public, civic AND private/corporate responsibility. There is actually not much controversial about that to reasonable folks.

 

Media reporting that Feathering system was activated prematurely, possibly by a pilot.

I would have suspected the hybrid motor before the Fx system...Fx system should be pretty easy to control, and the consequences of control failure obviously catastrophic.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/03/us/spa...html?hpt=hp_t3

 

Cardio, I don't think anyone will disagree with your premise that an operation of this magnitude, with this much risk, on the cutting edge of something this revolutionary should be taking care of the people hanging it out there. I seriously doubt that RB won't personally see to it that his family is well cared for. I also agree that the perception of asking for donations can rub people the wrong way, but they may also just be putting in place an avenue for those that wish to donate to do so with no other motive or attempt to shed responsibility.

That said, it's obvious that 8 may have some personal involvement with this accident and thus some emotion. Your comments, this soon after an accident like this (or any accident) violate a basic tenant of professional pilot decorum. As near as I can tell from your posts, you're an aviation hobbyist in the company of guys that live and breath this stuff, some for decades. It's a small community and odds are good guys on this board know those involved. To make accusations while the wreckage is still smoking is like pouring salt in the wound, especially for guys here that may have emotional involvement. I'm not saying it can't be discussed (in the pursuit of safety it must be once the facts are out), but try and use a little more tact in the timing. When the facts come to light, and those involved have come down from the emotional trauma of an event like this, only then should discussions like this be broached... and not before those involved have opened that door.

 

Well said, and I fully understand and agree. Obviously out-group bias coupled with urge to lash out and blame, protect the in-group, perceived "attacks" etc etc.

If you recall, in the previous discussion (not sure you were part) I didn't mind the online begging affair. I think it is fully within people's rights to set up webpages like that, and i donated quite generously (alas, before "DC-8driver" was rude and extremely disrespectful).

I just don't think having a little fundraiser right afterward is what we should rely on, and more to erase latent guilt. Like people who volunteer for a day at a soup kitchen on a holiday and mug it up for the camera. Yeah, great you do that. It is. But what happens the other 364 days?

Regarding perceived attacks, there is an urge for doctors to do the same thing "ooh how dare you criticize us, you're not a doctor so be quiet." There is a fine line between critical inquiry, which needs to be done, and deference. Nuance will be lost on some.

"Aviation hobbyist" or not, we all share the same airspace. I doubt most of you guys are test pilots with their risk of mishap. I'd wager I fly more monthly hours currently than a lot of pros. Statistically my risk of death is much higher than yours. If I ever ultimately buy the farm, lady cardiomd won't ask for any donations because I am responsible and have set up for them to be very well taken care of.

Obviously also I don't have a lot of the same pressures that a pro would have, but getting influencers outside of your industry to advocate for aviation professionals would be a great thing for the industry. Individuals and responses like DC8DRIVER (do any carriers still fly DC8?) will just make me throw up my hands and say "f- it." Enjoy your regional pay and follow that magenta line. Set up more begging accounts and worship that corporation that screws you over.

Hope readers understand these points of view, and safe flying.

 

You should probably ease your throttles back on this one Cardio.

You stepped in it in this one by going down this route way earlier than you should have. Getting all defensive and making further postings throwing back wild punches is not doing you any good in this situation.
Your feelings are hurt but they will heal.