no stone throwing. . .
I do not want to sound like I am second guessing our brother's decisions but it is apparent in reading the report that this particular builder needed more guidance in the build process than he got. Apparently he did not fully understand what he was putting together on some of his systems when building the airplane.
Then, once the airplane was flying, he did not have a good enough grasp of what he needed to do to fly the airplane. He needed much much more guidance on how to fly his new airplane. He was clearly not prepared to fly this airplane even after flying it for several months.
It was apparent to me from the emails discussed to his friend(s) that he was truly wanting someone to help him understand how to manage his airplane. The sad truth though is that he appeared to lack the self-discipline to restrain himself from flying his new airplane until he fully understood how to do so, and, more to the point, until it was ready to be flown.
This report indicates to me that this builder/pilot did not understand his airplane. From his own words:
"Eww I am an idiot!! I had no clue. . .Definitely a case of money versus intelligence. . ."
In my reflections on what I do in unfamiliar situations; I always want to understand what I am involved in at all times. In order to do so one can ask the questions of: "WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW". However, none of those questions every fully explains the situation. It isn't until one asks
WHY that one can fully understand what is going on. If anyone is asking
WHO did
WHAT,
WHERE,
WHEN and
HOW, they still do not fully understand the situation until they finish their query's with
WHY it was done.
WHY is the reason some engineer far smarter than me designed a component in such a way,
WHY is the reason a pilot much smarter than me teaches a particular procedure in a particular situation.
WHY is the reason the elders in my life much smarter than me tell me I should make sure to look for XYZ when I do ABC,
WHY is the reason so many have posted on this forum
"ASK ME HOW I KNOW!"
"Paul the Overlord" has posted a thread (
I Promise To. . .) detailing what his criteria for being prepared for flying is.
In reference to that thread: This accident is a reminder of my promise to make sure I understand what I am doing in the airplane before attempting to fly. If I do not feel comfortable with my ability to control the aircraft in a normal flying environment I am not going to go up in it. An example of this promise to myself is landing other people's airplane. I do not ever allow myself to land someone else's airplane if I am riding with them and they have allowed me to control the airplane. I have had several pilots tell me that I should go ahead and land the airplane.
I always refuse, if offered, to land an unfamiliar airplane! My lack of experience with how an unfamiliar airplane behaves keeps me from wanting to put myself in a situation where the airplane could surprise me with something I was not aware of or prepared for when down low with little or no avenue for escape.
I am taking this from reading the report:
Be wary of the things I do in my building and in my flying. If I do not know something ask someone who does know. And ask them WHY!