Low Level B-17 at Duxford 1979
Discussion
Sally B being flown by Don Bullock in the late 70s, plus his A-26 Invader that he was to later crash fatally at Biggin Hill in 1980.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ-nPbmFrm4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ-nPbmFrm4
The pilot involved was an accident waiting to happen and a supervisory nightmare.
Do the A-26 Pilots' Notes expressly forbid the Barrel Roll manoeuvre? Or was it yet another failure of a Rolling and Pitching manoeuvre at low level? I would have thought that the A-26 would have enough tail authority for a Roll if the initial pitch up is sufficiently exercised.
Either way, doing it with 7 other souls on board was criminally insane!
Do the A-26 Pilots' Notes expressly forbid the Barrel Roll manoeuvre? Or was it yet another failure of a Rolling and Pitching manoeuvre at low level? I would have thought that the A-26 would have enough tail authority for a Roll if the initial pitch up is sufficiently exercised.
Either way, doing it with 7 other souls on board was criminally insane!
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
The pilot involved was an accident waiting to happen and a supervisory nightmare.
Do the A-26 Pilots' Notes expressly forbid the Barrel Roll manoeuvre? Or was it yet another failure of a Rolling and Pitching manoeuvre at low level? I would have thought that the A-26 would have enough tail authority for a Roll if the initial pitch up is sufficiently exercised.
Either way, doing it with 7 other souls on board was criminally insane!
Do the A-26 Pilots' Notes expressly forbid the Barrel Roll manoeuvre? Or was it yet another failure of a Rolling and Pitching manoeuvre at low level? I would have thought that the A-26 would have enough tail authority for a Roll if the initial pitch up is sufficiently exercised.
Either way, doing it with 7 other souls on board was criminally insane!
Douglas Aircraft Corporation said:
Pilot's Handbook for Army Models A-26B and A-26C airplanes.
AN 01-40AJ-1
Section II, NORMAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Page 39.
FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
a. MANEUVERS PROHIBITED.
(1) Loops
(2) Spins
(3) Rolls
(4) Inverted Flight
Page 53
Paragraph 15.
ACROBATICS
Acrobatics are stictly prohibited.
T.O. 1A-26A-1 (Formerly T.O. 1B-26K-1)
Section 5, Operating Limitations
Page 5-5
PROHIBITED MANEUVERS
Spins or acrobatic maneuvers are prohibited.
MANEUVER LIMITATIONS
The symmetrical load factor capability is 4.4G from the minimum flying weight to 33,000 pounds, decreases linearly to 3.75G at 36,000 pounds, then is constant to the maximum gross weight. Etc. Etc.
The rolling pullout load factor capability is 3.2G from the minimum flying weight to 33,000 pounds, constant to the maximum gross weight.
Section VI, Flight Characteristics
Page 6-3
MANEUVERING FLIGHT
Acrobatics are prohibited in this aircraft.
Its my opinion that test pilots who write the aircraft notes dont put that sort of thing in for a bit of craic, there's usually a reason for it.AN 01-40AJ-1
Section II, NORMAL OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Page 39.
FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS.
a. MANEUVERS PROHIBITED.
(1) Loops
(2) Spins
(3) Rolls
(4) Inverted Flight
Page 53
Paragraph 15.
ACROBATICS
Acrobatics are stictly prohibited.
T.O. 1A-26A-1 (Formerly T.O. 1B-26K-1)
Section 5, Operating Limitations
Page 5-5
PROHIBITED MANEUVERS
Spins or acrobatic maneuvers are prohibited.
MANEUVER LIMITATIONS
The symmetrical load factor capability is 4.4G from the minimum flying weight to 33,000 pounds, decreases linearly to 3.75G at 36,000 pounds, then is constant to the maximum gross weight. Etc. Etc.
The rolling pullout load factor capability is 3.2G from the minimum flying weight to 33,000 pounds, constant to the maximum gross weight.
Section VI, Flight Characteristics
Page 6-3
MANEUVERING FLIGHT
Acrobatics are prohibited in this aircraft.
Mr Dave said:
Its my opinion that test pilots who write the aircraft notes don't put that sort of thing in for a bit of craic, there's usually a reason for it.
Thanks for that 
I agree, it's a foolish pilot that chooses to believe he/she knows more than the TPs and willfully decides to go against the Aircrew Manual/Pilot's Notes.
There's plenty of other (and safer) ways to have a piece of craic!
Simpo Two said:
Wasn't that a too-fast application of throttle, flooding the engine?
It was a simulated asymmetric approach at Denham (not a 'Roller') followed by a slam acceleration of the throttle. The Pilots' notes for the Blenheim/Bolingbroke (actually it was the latter) specifically cautioned against such action since it would cause a 'Rich Cut' leading to the engine quitting.Predictable results I'm afraid.
Zaxxon said:
Rumours were that there was nearly a punch up between the engineer and pilot, the engineer knew of the warning and told the pilot, but the pilot ignored the advice repeatedly and destroyed a rare and wonderfull aeroplane.
Said FE is now a respected pilot himself now of course... as well as still being a fine engineer.The 3rd rebuild of the Blenheim is gathering pace, and last week, the jacks were removed and she stood on her own legs again.
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