Comments on: Managing Risk – The Steve Appleton Equation

By: Bruce Landsberg

Bruce Landsberg — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:59:53 +0000

First, thanks to all who commented. I always appreciate the positive tone we have established for the blog.

John S. and George are perhaps closest to my current thoughts on this but as we always caution – it’s very early in the investigation so things can changes drastically as more details come to light.

Valerie is also absolutely correct that new owners in experimental aircraft ( any aircraft for that matter) typically have a learning curve to go through. The higher performance the model, the more careful we have to be.

LOBO has tried very hard to provide education and there is a robust owners group to assist people with transition training.

Finally, the poll shows a clear preference on how people feel about mandated training in experimentals.

By: John S.

John S. — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:13:59 +0000

I wasn’t there, don’t know many details, and will never second guess another pilot’s decision without some solid facts. Rest in peace, Steve.

Being an experienced ATP, high-performance pilot, I would not hesitate taking my family for trips in a Lancair IV, if it weren’t waaaay out of my price range. The speedy beauty is my dream plane.

Some of the accounts hints at a possible turn back to the airport. Don’t know; wasn’t there; not second guessing. Flight instruction continually emphasizes landing straight ahead when having a single-engine, no-go issue during initial climb out. AOPA recently reviewed the impossible-turn matter [1] and, with lightly loaded wings in stable aircraft in optimal circumstances, the minimal altitude is in the order of 700 to 1000-feet AGL.

Another account hints at a possible asymmetric stall. Again, don’t know; wasn’t there; not second guessing. Flight instruction enforces assertively acquiring the proper glide speed. Especially in a high wing load aircraft, a departure stall could quickly become unmanageable. Aviate; navigate; communicate.

Being my dream airplane, I’ve read numerous articles on flying the plane, and the demonstrating pilots unanimously avoid the left side of the envelope.

Flying a sleek, performer like the Lancair IV requires knowledge, understanding, and discipline. Small-scale performance is the antithesis of stability and forgiveness, indirectly.

As the Dirty Harry said, “A man’s got to know his limitations.”

Regards.

[1] http://www.aopa.org/training/articles/2011/110519impossible_turn_practice.html

By: George Krueger

George Krueger — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:50:48 +0000

You guys who are focused on the differences between the Lancair IV-P Jetprop and the Evolution are missing the point. Both are very flyable aircraft in the hands of someone like Mr. Appleton. The real issue probably lies elsewhere. Why the first return to the airport? What wasn’t right? Why the second takeoff if uncertain the problem wasn’t fixed? We need much more information. A mechanical or systems issue could just as easily be a problem on an Evolution as a Jetprop. Don’t take unwarranted comfort just because you own an Evolution…or you could be the next statistic!

By: Charlie Branch

Charlie Branch — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:27:37 +0000

I watched Steve Appleton fly his red Hawker Hunter at Gunfighter Skies ’03, including a formation pass with his instructor Greg Poe (the red Chelton-sponsored Edge 540 as I recall). In January ’04, I spent a month at http://www.aerobaticcompany.com at 4SD flying Rich Stowell’s EMT with my PPL training, and either then or three years later (on another training stint), Steve crashed his Pitts while being filmed from the ground. We should never be come complacent, nor think we know it all.

Sincerely,

Charlie Branch (Aeronca 7, trained with 8KCAB)

By: Doug Walker

Doug Walker — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:21:14 +0000

Dear Bruce,

As a builder/owner of a turbine Lancair Evolution I echo the comments of Tom Bowen and Bill Harrelson. An uninformed reader of your article can easily, erroneously infer the plane in question was an Evolution, not the IV-PT. This is reinforced by using the wrong photo. I would greatly appreciate your updating your blog to clarify the distinction between the discontinued product that was the subject aircraft and the Evolution.

By the way, I would be delighted to have you fly my Evolution for you to experience first hand its flying characteristics.

Sincerely,

Doug Walker

By: Valerie Vaughn

Valerie Vaughn — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:08:49 +0000

The article neglects to mention that Mr. Appleton recently purchased the aircraft, December 2011. When an amateur built aircraft changes hands – statistically the accident rate goes up. I have seen examples of this in my own life.

By: Bill Harrelson

Bill Harrelson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:40:08 +0000

Bruce,

As a respected and experienced aviation writer I would have expected you to put a bit more effort into your “facts” before writing this piece. Your analysis mixes two completely different airplanes. The photo shown in your article is a Lancair Evolution which is, in fact, the ” latest kit from Lancair”. This is not the type of airplane that Mr. Appleton was flying. The Evolution is a completely new disign, different wings, different fuselage, different gear, different engine, completely different specifications and flying qualities. It is not a modification of the Lancair IV. The Lancair IV has been out of production for some time.

By: Tom Bowen

Tom Bowen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:14:10 +0000

Bruce,
To be clear Mr. Appleton was flying a Lancair 4P Jetprop with the Walters engine. We no longer sell that product for many reasons including the debut of our newest kit design. Today we also produce a much more sedate turbine Lancair called the Evolution. The Evolution has substantially better low speed characteristics, 61 KCAS stall speeds and as a kit is sold with professional flight training included. I would appreciated it immensely if you would please differentiate the products in future references.
Please call or email me if you need more information on our current offerings.

Thanks and Always enjoy your articles and blog.

Tom Bowen COO