Inflight Entertainment => The missing link => Topic started by: Rooster Cruiser on September 07, 2008, 05:21:42 AM
Title: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Rooster Cruiser on September 07, 2008, 05:21:42 AM
This once again happened at Stead Field at Reno. I do not know the identity of the pilot. Might anyone here on the forum be able to provide us with a name so we can once again face west with our toasts? :'( :-\
RENO, Nev. — A pilot was killed in a crash during a practice run before the start of the annual Reno National Championship Air Races.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor says the female pilot was killed Saturday morning at Reno Stead Airport when the wings of her homebuilt, single-engine plane broke off as she was performing a roll.
Gregor says race organizers were observing her as part of the certification process to allow her to perform in next week's races at the airport just north of Reno.
The pilot's name was not immediately released, but the plane was registered to a Nebraska resident.
Three pilots were killed in competition during last year's air races. There now have been 19 fatalities in the 45-year history of the event.
The air races begin Monday with qualifying runs.
The 9 a.m. crash is under investigation by federal authorities.
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Ragwing on September 07, 2008, 03:08:29 PM
RENO, Nev.—A pilot was killed in a crash Saturday while tuning up for the annual Reno National Championship Air Races, authorities said.
Formula One racer Erica Simpson, 32, of Phillipsburg, N.J., was preparing for her second year as a competitor in the event when her aircraft crashed at Reno-Stead Airport.
"Erica was a highly skilled pilot and a fierce competitor, but more importantly she was a friend," said Mike Houghton, president of the air races. "This has been a difficult day for all of us—Erica's friends and aviation family—and we will deeply miss her smile and energy."
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the wings of Simpson's homebuilt, single-engine Cassult IIIM broke off as she was performing a roll.
Organizers were observing her as part of the certification process to allow her to perform in the weeklong event, which begins Monday with qualifying runs, Gregor said.
Simpson, a commercial pilot who was raised in Port Wing, Wis., competed in the biplane class in 2006. (http://img702.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2008/09/07/ericasimpson-4bsabeqwk.jpeg) Erica, until we meet again |:)\
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: TheSoccerMom on September 07, 2008, 06:26:02 PM
How sad! :'(
This has sure been a rough month.... it's such a shame to think of an accomplished pilot like her being killed in an accident like that.
Condolences to her friends and family..... |:)\
|:)\
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Oddball on September 07, 2008, 06:33:53 PM
|:)\ |:)\
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Mike on September 07, 2008, 07:36:17 PM
Aww man. So sorry to hear that.... :( The numbers this year are horrible....
Do you guys think it's still cool to post a Reno strip next Tuesday?
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: mnicprs on September 07, 2008, 07:44:37 PM
yes, having been a crew member on an unlimited racer i can tell you that the best thing to do is keep going because that's what the person would've wanted you to do.
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: leiafee on September 07, 2008, 09:37:00 PM
Aww man. So sorry to hear that.... :( The numbers this year are horrible....
This side of the Pond too. Though somehow I always seem to end up thinking that, and then the stats come out and it turns out average. I suppose any are too many...
I certainly wouldn'tbe offended by a Reno-themed strip in light of the accident -- one assumes she was doing it because she loved flying it like we love seeing it, and a strip celebrating that seems perfectly respectful to me.
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Rooster Cruiser on September 08, 2008, 12:24:16 AM
Quote
Do you guys think it's still cool to post a Reno strip next Tuesday?
By all means, post it!
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: RagDragger on September 08, 2008, 02:05:09 AM
Man, this just hasn't been a good year for this sort of thing. I won't even say how many accidents/incidents my poor company has had this year....
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Ragwing on September 08, 2008, 03:32:04 AM
Do you guys think it's still cool to post a Reno strip next Tuesday?
If it was me, I would ask that you press on and publish. Life is flying and the best way to honor our brothers and sisters is to promote and protect our sport.
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Turbomallard on September 08, 2008, 03:59:53 AM
They're continuing the races, so continue the strip (as long as it wouldn't hit too close to home with details similar to the accident).
TM
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Fabo on September 08, 2008, 09:18:49 AM
What about posting strip with "In memory of Erica Simpson" on it? In my opinion, if it does not come too close home it would be better this way than to ignore Reno because, as Forrest says, shit happens...
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Oddball on September 08, 2008, 12:53:20 PM
I say post a Reno strip
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: TheSoccerMom on September 08, 2008, 06:05:02 PM
Here is a press release from Reno about the accident.
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: airtac on September 08, 2008, 06:37:36 PM
Post the strip---Didn't know her but I know she was aware of the inherent risk of aviation and had accepted that, so I cannot imagine how she or anyone else would not find it offensive...
Of course, there may be some thick headed and thin skinned liberal out there who might whine about it but I say "screw them" ::loony:: ::rambo::
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Oddball on September 08, 2008, 07:40:09 PM
I know what use them as a turning marker
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Mike on September 09, 2008, 05:18:28 PM
Done!
Thanks guys!
I would want everybody to go on as well. I think G-man said it best in the P2V crash thread. Tell funny stories about me and think of me evry now and then when you drink a German beer (or any beer, really) ::drinking::
We didn't want to mention her name though in the blog on the home page. Just didn't feel right....
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: TheSoccerMom on September 10, 2008, 07:12:32 AM
Mike and Stef,
The way you approach your forum is top-notch. Any professional pilot would be pleased to be included in the Chicken Wing annals.
It's even more obvious, in that you're sensitive to the upcoming Races. If only more pilots could balance your outlook and your sense of humor.
Thank you.
Mary**
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: Liberte on September 10, 2008, 07:23:26 PM
There was an article in the newspaper that the FAA was looking at the air races because of the recent accidents, but it didn't say anything about any changes to the schedule, etc.
::thinking::
Title: Re: More bad news from Reno...
Post by: TheSoccerMom on September 22, 2008, 04:45:54 AM
It was a bit somber to go into Stead last week.. we stood by there for a while. The flags were at half-mast, and it was hard not to constantly think about the bad few weeks they had there just recently.
But, the sun shines on, and life goes on, and on the day the flags were raised once again to the tops of their masts, we threw a huge BBQ at the base. All the new people got to meet each other, tell jokes, and remember with respect our friends whom we cannot forget. There were many big laughs, funny stories, and more than a few tears. In the best tradition, we all left there with more new friends...
A very special Thanks to the Tanker Base Manager who made my time there unforgettable.
