I took no issue with your post UMC. I thought it was relieving.
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I took no issue with your post UMC. I thought it was relieving.
I say it every time this type of thread happens. Regardless of your current feelings. We were all raised to not speak ill of the dead.
Except BP. Humor is humor. But that's an old joke, I expect more from you...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Delfuego
Worst helicopter parent ever?
Kobe Bryant helicopter audio released:
http://youtu.be/B0pQfgi9ZqU
Damm. Couldn't tell from that what happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by Gman
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
The snapshot of the vid, and the audio comment from the controller on the vid is misleading... The picture and audio showing "you are too low" only means the controller is saying they are too low for "flight following" which is kind of an air traffic controller assistance that VFR pilots can request, to help the pilot look out for other aircraft and look out for weather, and allow the pilot to fly thru some classes of controlled airspace without waiting for additional approvals, etc.
But, in order for ATC to provide flight following, the aircraft needs to be above some minimum altitude to ensure a good radar signature on the ATC controller's radar, and to ensure good radio communication.
So while it turns out the aircraft was too low for the terrain, that wasn't the message being relayed from the flight controller.
What is important is that they were flying VFR in a situation with an extremely low ceiling. The conditions reported by Van Nuys tower indicated the ceiling was 1100' and the pilot reported they were at 1400'. The last altitude reported by the pilot was 1500'. Prudence dictated safely returning from the way they came or using a pilot capable of IFR.
Indications today are that the helicopter hit the hillside at a high rate of speed. If the pilot is using VFR and can't see the hill he's flying into...there you go.
ETA: According to this article: Kobe Bryant crash pilot received clearance to fly in poor weather conditions, the pilot was IFR qualified. The bottom line: "Ian Gregor, an FAA spokesman, said that a pilot remains responsible for determining whether it is safe to fly and for determining visibility."
Ouch!! [facepalm]Quote:
Originally Posted by BPTactical
This reminds me of JFK junior's flight to Martha's Vineyard.
Aside from skill level, no one else was flying due to weather conditions, yet the pilots in each case chose to fly.