Comments on: Watch This!

By: Darren Rich

Darren Rich — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 18:49:40 +0000

Further to my post of 22 Aug 08, our Club now has wireless, so I do show the ASF videos during my ground school lectures. Very effective when we talk about stall speeds and angle of attack during Theory of Flight lectures!

By: directory

directory — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:58:17 +0000

You have a good site, i enjoyed my stay!

By: Cary Alburn

Cary Alburn — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:13:59 +0000

I’m really torn–the “hotshots” who need the reminders aren’t likely to ever see them, those who don’t need the reminders will and they’ll see the dark humor involved, but if the general public sees them, I agree that they are likely to get the wrong message about GA pilots altogether.

After the recent mid-air collision near Rock Springs, the local newspaper’s website was full of comments from non-pilots that really showed the general ignorance of non-pilots. Similarly, when the Angel Flight went down on take-off at Iowa City, the local newspaper’s website had similarly ignorant comments.

We have a lot of educating to do of the general public–and I don’t have any confidence that these videos, if released outside GA, will do us any good–and only marginal good if released within GA. I wish I had a better idea of how to get through to the cowboys among us, without risking damaging GA’s reputation with the general public.

Cary

By: Jim Bredy

Jim Bredy — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 15:17:56 +0000

It might be a good idea for everyone to review the provisions of FAR 91.119, Minimum Safe Altitudes.

By: robert hasiak

robert hasiak — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 22:32:05 +0000

I enjoyed both videos very much, and they were very well thought out and comical to any aviator. That being said…I believe that these spots should only find their way on aviation websites and must be protected so as to ensure anyone cant download them and send them to their buddies. The fact remains that these are “inside jokes” of our community and publically would do our cause no good. Dont get me wrong..these aren’t actually jokes…but they are really only best understood by John Q. Pilot, not John Q. Public. The best thing any pilot can do to share aviation and demonstrate its safety is to do just that…share it. How many kids on your block wouldnt mind going for an airplane ride…how many parents? While no one likes to waist money…if you think about it..these same people could be on a board voting on what to do with your airport..show them what safety looks like..not what hazardous flying looks like. We have to share our love through experience..not through headlines.

By: Louie Ilievski

Louie Ilievski — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:43:26 +0000

Hilarious and excellent videos! I loved them, especially Real Aviation Heroes. I’m not sure what the impact will be on the general public, but I agree with Darren that it would give AOPA the chance to respond. I can say that it definitely gets through to the pilots. After I was done laughing I actually did take a moment to think about the seriousness of it all.

By: Ken Deeble

Ken Deeble — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:05:37 +0000

The safety msg. can be a hard sell, as you say not to us in the “Choir” but to those not watching. The Military and the Air Lines have it easier because of a captive audience. I am not too concerned about the national media getting ahold of these video’s. The presentations are so over the top that it would seem obvious to the most casual observer the sarcastic humor involved. Especially coming from an organization dedicated to aviation safety. I feel that placement of these ad’s is the critical part not only to avoid the mainstream attention, but also getting the message to the right audience. I wish you success!

By: Darren Rich

Darren Rich — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:25:47 +0000

As a CPL, multi-INRAT holder who teaches ground school at the local flying club as a way to give back to GA in Canada, I think they will be an effective way to get the point across to today’s student pilots. I’d love to be able to show the School Daze video to my students during my Aircraft Performance lecture and have our Human Factors instructor show the Real Aviation Heroes video. Is there any way they can be downloaded and used with attribution?

As for their potential to backfire in the mainstream media, I think that it might be the case, but it would then allow AOPA to reply to the possible public backlash. You have to give the general population some credit for being able to discern that you are targeting a small population of pilots. Look what is happening now with the introduction of new laws on road racing and cell phone use while driving in various jurisdictions. Damned if you do [anything to try to educate that percentage of the flying population who are 'cowboys'] and damned if you don’t [do anything].

Darren Rich

By: David Magaw

David Magaw — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:38:42 +0000

Yes the accident in Roseville was agregious, but to me the one that takes the grand prize for multiple acts of stupidity is the one in the NTSB report LAX07LA118.

By: Edward Tomasini

Edward Tomasini — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 12:55:22 +0000

Gary Estes’s reply is dead on target.