Posts by user "Pilot DAR" [Posts: 7 Total up-votes: 47 Page: 1 of 1]¶

DC Police say it's not: (via CNN)

CNN is saying 60 pax plus 4 crew on the AA CRJ jet, Blackhawk crew not stated yet....

My first of a number of startling events relating to "seeing" traffic announced to me by ATC taught me a valuable lesson: I was told to pass behind two F-4 Phantoms on long final, 2 Phantoms in sight, and I watched them, 'cause they were cool... Then two more blasted right across in front of me! Adequately safely distant, but scary! Lesson for pilots, once you see and report in sight, ask yourself if there could be another you have not seen yet - and leek looking, checking back on the one you've spotted, particularly if you have a second pilot with you! For ATC, sure announce to presence of traffic which may be in conflict, but also state other relevant (distracting/misunderstandable) traffic if time permits. That ATC was not busy, and could have told me that there were four Phantoms total. My tactic to see, acknowledge, then keep looking more aircraft elsewhere, has rewarded me many times since, even once as third jumpseat observer. This is a simple safety skill in any visual flying environment, particularly at night, and in a busy lights area...

Hey Posters,

Please discuss this sad event, and the factors which may have contributed - other than U.S. political topics please. We're in an aviation venue, let's not drift it with political discussion please...

One of the moderating team,
Pilot DAR

Yes, that would be my understanding also.

Yes, thanks for recalling this request. The moderators have had a background discussion about this situation, and agreed to stand by the exclusion of political discussion as is the policy of PPRuNe. That said, this accident, and the investigation and introspection to come are going to run the ragged edge of political discussion. We want the aviation safety discussion, we don't want it lost in discussion and emotion about politics - we just don't have the page space! (and it's a lot of work to moderate!).

Posts referencing actual facts, reported from authoritative sources, and primarily on the topic of the accident, the investigation, and associated safety are welcomed here. If in doubt, just leave out the political part of what you're thinking to write, we all know that you have an opinion, we don't need to read it here. If your post touches to role of a government official as a factor of the event, without inflaming discussion, the moderation team will do it's best to find a favourable interpretation.

Thanks for working with the moderation team on this...

Pilot DAR

And I have done this a few times in my flying career. The fact that you have a clearance does not require to to follow it if you're not confident that it can be safely flown in the present circumstances. Even an instruction is up for discussion if you have grounds to doubt your safe compliance. Sometimes, being uncomfortable about the situation is a good reason to re-evaluate what you're going to do - just tell ATC as soon as you can about your concerns...