Colin McRae Fatal accident enquiry - Errr why ??
Discussion
fluffnik said:
Indeed.
It seems he was every bit as much a yeeharr pilot as driver.
The lack of currency on his licence was not down to lack of flying it was down to lack of form filling - I don't think anyone has suggested that he'd have failed to get his licence signed off had he sought out a check flight...
It was down to a sloppy attitude. No difference to someone failing to retake their licence after a ban and then telling the judge what a good driver they are. IRRELEVANT.It seems he was every bit as much a yeeharr pilot as driver.
The lack of currency on his licence was not down to lack of flying it was down to lack of form filling - I don't think anyone has suggested that he'd have failed to get his licence signed off had he sought out a check flight...
fluffnik said:
wolves_wanderer said:
The double standards of PH are alive and well in this thread though...
Hooning is good, except in helicopters...
Regretably the confidence /self-assuredness required to launch your Subaru into a tunnel of trees is not perhaps appropriate training for launching a Squirrel in a similar fashion.
As a cocky 22year old flying instructor 30 years ago I did this s
t in Cessna 152's, and can confirm A- it is great fun & B - you really shouldn't do it.
Great motor racing/rallying guys need to have S O much confidence /self-belief to do what they do, that, (in spite of their undoubtedly above average hand/eye) coordination ) they are almost a liability to themselves in the aviation sphere.
After 34 years in this business I have to say that most of our "heroes" in motor-sport are anything but in aviation circles. I am sure there are exceptions, but that generalisation is fairly accurate.
Sadly, a bit of serious "hooning" went tragically wrong, better he did it in a "Sub" with a cage, helicos are rather fragile beasts, and much more intolerant of his propensity to finish his runs off piste.
Tragic (especially to have kids on board) but not entirely surprising.
As a cocky 22year old flying instructor 30 years ago I did this s
t in Cessna 152's, and can confirm A- it is great fun & B - you really shouldn't do it.Great motor racing/rallying guys need to have S O much confidence /self-belief to do what they do, that, (in spite of their undoubtedly above average hand/eye) coordination ) they are almost a liability to themselves in the aviation sphere.
After 34 years in this business I have to say that most of our "heroes" in motor-sport are anything but in aviation circles. I am sure there are exceptions, but that generalisation is fairly accurate.
Sadly, a bit of serious "hooning" went tragically wrong, better he did it in a "Sub" with a cage, helicos are rather fragile beasts, and much more intolerant of his propensity to finish his runs off piste.
Tragic (especially to have kids on board) but not entirely surprising.
Edited by the other me on Tuesday 6th September 20:57
My Stepfather has been a Helicopter pilot since Aden (this was 1963 - 1967; I just googled it!!). He left the RAF in 1971 as a Sqn Ldr and has been teaching, test piloting and running conversion courses on all sorts of helicopters in Dubai for over 40 years!!
I'm not sure if it is his quote but he reckons "as soon a a helicopter comes off the production line all it want to do is see you dead".
In his opinion anyone who choses to fly low level in a helicopter for fun is just mad. To take "innocents" with you is just ignorant.
A tragic unnecessary but avoidable accident.
Colin Colin Colin......!
I'm not sure if it is his quote but he reckons "as soon a a helicopter comes off the production line all it want to do is see you dead".
In his opinion anyone who choses to fly low level in a helicopter for fun is just mad. To take "innocents" with you is just ignorant.
A tragic unnecessary but avoidable accident.
Colin Colin Colin......!
the other me said:
Great motor racing/rallying guys need to have S O much confidence /self-belief to do what they do, that, (in spite of their undoubtedly above average hand/eye) coordination ) they are almost a liability to themselves in the aviation sphere.
Indeed.It's all part of the package, not something that gets turned on just for "work".
Soovy said:
A good point well made. I am a very keen clay shooter, been shooting for 20 years. And you will never ever see me take a gun out of a sling before I have broken it open and checked it is safe.
The number of "experienced" and "good" shooters who flout this fundamental rule still shocks me. It's the supposedly "good" people who do - and they're the ones who end up blowing someones head off by accident.
On the flipside, I had the pleasure to shoot with a very senior member of the royal family, and his safety was exemplary, despite him being very close to the throne.
Play by the rules. Always. I don't give a tuppeny toss who you are. Wehn you're shooting/flying/racing the people with class never ever forget the basic obligations and the consequences of being too big for one's boots.
Aside from the objectionable name dropping - thought better of you than that Soov The number of "experienced" and "good" shooters who flout this fundamental rule still shocks me. It's the supposedly "good" people who do - and they're the ones who end up blowing someones head off by accident.
On the flipside, I had the pleasure to shoot with a very senior member of the royal family, and his safety was exemplary, despite him being very close to the throne.
Play by the rules. Always. I don't give a tuppeny toss who you are. Wehn you're shooting/flying/racing the people with class never ever forget the basic obligations and the consequences of being too big for one's boots.
- I've never understood this gun in sling (cover) thing. I do it because the clay clubs I go to request it or it's the norm but it comes very hard to a 25 year rough shooter and I still don't see the point of it. Refreshing to be in Texas t'other day and to do without covers.I've (as a lifeboatman) worked with both RAF and Coastguard helicopters. Believe me, these guys do not like to work at low level unless they have to. I have heard it said that they assume their steed will try and kill them if they give it half a chance.
I'd rather have been in an Arun in a Force 10 than in a S61N in a flat calm!
I'd rather have been in an Arun in a Force 10 than in a S61N in a flat calm!
With deep regret, I have lost all respect for the man.
Such recklessness and arrogance, coupled with a 'can't be bothered' attitude.
Couldn't be bothered to renew his licence.
Couldn't be bothered to make sure he was insured.
Couldn't be bothered to ask his friends if he could take their child for a helicopter 'thrill flight'
What else couldn't he be bothered to do?
Basic pre-flight inspection?
Safety assessment?
Such recklessness and arrogance, coupled with a 'can't be bothered' attitude.
Couldn't be bothered to renew his licence.
Couldn't be bothered to make sure he was insured.
Couldn't be bothered to ask his friends if he could take their child for a helicopter 'thrill flight'
What else couldn't he be bothered to do?
Basic pre-flight inspection?
Safety assessment?
Soovy said:
It's exactly the same.
I have no licence, and no insurance, but I'll drive/fly anyway.
Arrogant idiocy.
This.I have no licence, and no insurance, but I'll drive/fly anyway.
Arrogant idiocy.
There's no way he was unaware he was unlicenced. If he was that forgetful then he could have paid someone to handle such affairs, well within his means.
No different to an uninsured/unlicenced driver wiping out a carload of mates showing off.
It was a f***ing helicopter. I know a former fast jet and lately airline pilot who wouldn't get in one if you paid him. They demand the utmost respect and by all accounts McRae showed it little to none.
Just thought I'd throw this into the ring ..
If you watch Colin's "Pedal to the metal video" it actually shows you him flying his chopper around for a bit (not the one involved here though), and I remember watching this video way before that tragic day, and thinking Ohh wow that's a bit crazy they way he's flinging that thing around ...
Go watch it .. it tells you a lot about his mental approach to flying
If you watch Colin's "Pedal to the metal video" it actually shows you him flying his chopper around for a bit (not the one involved here though), and I remember watching this video way before that tragic day, and thinking Ohh wow that's a bit crazy they way he's flinging that thing around ...
Go watch it .. it tells you a lot about his mental approach to flying
The reality is that the actions that make you a good rally/race driver do not make you a good flyer and as said regularly in this thread event prepared cars are less likely to kill you than a helicopter.
That Colin should go in this way is not surprising, that he should take innocent people with him is tragic, although I do think they would have been aware of the risks, after all it is common knowledge that helicopters are difficult to fly etc.
Unfortunately though none of it is a surprise and it is a shame is record as a rally driver is tainted in this way.
That Colin should go in this way is not surprising, that he should take innocent people with him is tragic, although I do think they would have been aware of the risks, after all it is common knowledge that helicopters are difficult to fly etc.
Unfortunately though none of it is a surprise and it is a shame is record as a rally driver is tainted in this way.
Chrisgr31 said:
The reality is that the actions that make you a good rally/race driver do not make you a good flyer and as said regularly in this thread event prepared cars are less likely to kill you than a helicopter.
That Colin should go in this way is not surprising, that he should take innocent people with him is tragic, although I do think they would have been aware of the risks, after all it is common knowledge that helicopters are difficult to fly etc.
Unfortunately though none of it is a surprise and it is a shame is record as a rally driver is tainted in this way.
What a stupid statement, the kids where 5 ffs, how exactly is a 5 year old aware of the risks. There is NO defense of his actions here at all, had he lived he would be facing manslaughter charges. Anyone who puts their children's and worse still, someone else's children's lives in such obvious danger for the sake of cheap thrill is either in need of psychiatric help or a complete and utter moron. That Colin should go in this way is not surprising, that he should take innocent people with him is tragic, although I do think they would have been aware of the risks, after all it is common knowledge that helicopters are difficult to fly etc.
Unfortunately though none of it is a surprise and it is a shame is record as a rally driver is tainted in this way.
I like a bit of spirited driving like a lot of others on here, there is no way on this earth though that I would ever do it with my 5 year old son and his little friend in the car with me let alone do it in a Bloody helicopter.
Holy st, guys. I found a clip of "Pedal to the Metal" on youtube..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9mfM2RptAI
Starts at 25s in. I got goosebumps.
RIP to all involved. Very sad.
t, guys. I found a clip of "Pedal to the Metal" on youtube.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9mfM2RptAI
Starts at 25s in. I got goosebumps.
RIP to all involved. Very sad.
]
'you've got to abide by the rules and know the limitations of the helicopter'
erdnase said:
Holy st, guys. I found a clip of "Pedal to the Metal" on youtube..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9mfM2RptAI
Starts at 25s in. I got goosebumps.
RIP to all involved. Very sad.
If only he'd taken his own advice:t, guys. I found a clip of "Pedal to the Metal" on youtube.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9mfM2RptAI
Starts at 25s in. I got goosebumps.
RIP to all involved. Very sad.
'you've got to abide by the rules and know the limitations of the helicopter'
Edited by Victor McDade on Wednesday 7th September 00:22
Edited by Victor McDade on Wednesday 7th September 00:22
I once had a go at flying a helicopter on one of those initial lesson/experience gift things. It came as quite a shock when the door on my side popped open at 3000ft - the pilot apologised and told me some fat German had used the door instead of the handle to help themselves into the cockpit - so obviously these things ain't designed to bounce off trees.
This got me thinking, do you thing Colin would have took his son, his son's mate and another pal for a full competitive speed run in a Focus WRC car that was designed to bounce off trees? I doubt it.
I know when I have the kids in the car I drive extra carefully and I never take them out on a proper hoon.
I guess when your idea of fun is battering down a snow covered mountain road in Monaco with a 500ft drop to either side, flying a helicopter in an exciting manner isn't exactly going to worry you much.
I must admit too, that being a WRC fan for a long time, and loving watching Colin "going for it", I always thought he came across as being arrogant and I was much more impressed with Richard Burns' cool and calm attitude which still paid off. Another amazing British drive we sadly lost.
Still, whatever you think of Colin now, since these two amazing drivers we've not had any UK rally talent that has even come close to getting a WRC stage win, never mind a title shot.
This got me thinking, do you thing Colin would have took his son, his son's mate and another pal for a full competitive speed run in a Focus WRC car that was designed to bounce off trees? I doubt it.
I know when I have the kids in the car I drive extra carefully and I never take them out on a proper hoon.
I guess when your idea of fun is battering down a snow covered mountain road in Monaco with a 500ft drop to either side, flying a helicopter in an exciting manner isn't exactly going to worry you much.
I must admit too, that being a WRC fan for a long time, and loving watching Colin "going for it", I always thought he came across as being arrogant and I was much more impressed with Richard Burns' cool and calm attitude which still paid off. Another amazing British drive we sadly lost.
Still, whatever you think of Colin now, since these two amazing drivers we've not had any UK rally talent that has even come close to getting a WRC stage win, never mind a title shot.
Edited by Emeye on Wednesday 7th September 00:21
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