A gravel mistake
Remember when MythBusters did the segment to see if an airplane still would take off, even if it’s on a belt that is running the opposite direction at the airplane’s takeoff speed? As a pilot with an engineering degree, I felt it was kinda silly because, you know, “everybody” knows airplane wheels aren’t driven. I was way off with that assumption. It actually amazed me how big of a discussion ensued online about the episode, with people even arguing after the show had already aired!
Turns out Hans is one of the guys thinking the airplane “drives” on the ground by wheel power. Nor does he understand how a helicopter lifts into the air. Helicopters and gravel don’t mix in general. And I think this comic is also a lesson that very seldom, especially in aviation, it works out in the long run when one goes too cheap. I have plenty of stories on the subject. You know what they say about ye ole cliché “You get what you pay for”? It rings true in this business.
And you know what they say about clichés in general, right?! Better avoid them. They’re an old hat.
Anywhooooo … HAPPY NEW YEAR, fellow chickens in the coop! We hope y’all made it through the holidays unscathed and wish you all the best for the coming year. We have many plans and projects in the works. Let’s see how many of these we will get to.
Mike
I made the mistake of standing near a helicopter landing on a pebble beach once. Never made that mistake again.
Julio shoulda hid behind Hans
It is sooo like in company I work for :’)
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Some years ago, I was involved in Reality Aircraft, a company that marketed Escapade home-built microlight and VLA 2 seater. When he received a complaint about poor brakes, “Mr Reality” Jumped in and burned in the brakes. Unfortunately the gravel surface at Old Sarum meant that Terry had to fit a replacement prop. I learned quite a lot from “the boss” over the years.
Mo.
This is golden! AWESOME