N941WR
Legacy Member
Today I took one of my neighbor's daughter to Triple Tree's Chili fly-in.
They have a well defined arrival procedure for their large fly-ins; fly over Wally World distribution center, on to the town of Enoree, SC, then left to the airport where you will either turn right and land downhill or cross over and land up hill.
Today the standard pattern was to cross over and land up hill.
I was following a Cessna to the distribution center and was four miles behind when a Champ cut in front of us. No problem for the -9 and I slowed down to stay exactly two miles behind it. (I've never seen a champ with a transponder before.)
just before we reached the town of Enoree my ADS-B started going crazy and warning of traffic 100 to 200 feet above us, less than a 1/4 mile and closing fast.
I could see the N-number on the SkyView so I called them up by number asking if they had us in site but received no reply and they kept coming.
Needless to say, my passenger was a bit concerned as was I.
Finally they stepped out to the right side and stayed there, about 50 to 100 yards off our rightwing through the entire inbound procedure, without talking, even when called by N-number. It was at this time I realized it was an RV-8.
The -8 stayed there through the pattern but I was also down to about 70 knots, following the Champ.
With no idea what the guy was going to do, I continued following the Champ but did notice the -8 rocked his wings.
All I was thinking at this time was what was this yahoo -8 driver going to do and so did the "controllers" at Triple Tree.
I made one of the shortest and quickest landings ever and got off the runway at the end of the first lake. (I probably should have landed long but I know the -8 can't fly final at the 55 knots we were doing to give the Champ some room.)
After securing the plane I walked over to discuss the situation with the -8 driver and all he had to say was that he "had us in sight" and when I asked him why he didn't respond to my radio calls, he said, "You are not supposed to use your radio when coming in here."
Well, that may be true, unless there is a dangerous situation and running up someone's tail is a dangerous situation.
I don't mind flying formation with someone I know, when prearranged and I don't mind formation takeoffs and landings with someone I know, again when prearranged but having this guy come up like he did and not know what he was going to do or was capable of is unacceptable in any book.
If this is the kind of thing that the certified guys see and experience from RV pilot's, then I get their distaste for the RV community.
Fly Safe, Fly Smart!
They have a well defined arrival procedure for their large fly-ins; fly over Wally World distribution center, on to the town of Enoree, SC, then left to the airport where you will either turn right and land downhill or cross over and land up hill.
Today the standard pattern was to cross over and land up hill.
I was following a Cessna to the distribution center and was four miles behind when a Champ cut in front of us. No problem for the -9 and I slowed down to stay exactly two miles behind it. (I've never seen a champ with a transponder before.)
just before we reached the town of Enoree my ADS-B started going crazy and warning of traffic 100 to 200 feet above us, less than a 1/4 mile and closing fast.
I could see the N-number on the SkyView so I called them up by number asking if they had us in site but received no reply and they kept coming.
Needless to say, my passenger was a bit concerned as was I.
Finally they stepped out to the right side and stayed there, about 50 to 100 yards off our rightwing through the entire inbound procedure, without talking, even when called by N-number. It was at this time I realized it was an RV-8.
The -8 stayed there through the pattern but I was also down to about 70 knots, following the Champ.
With no idea what the guy was going to do, I continued following the Champ but did notice the -8 rocked his wings.
All I was thinking at this time was what was this yahoo -8 driver going to do and so did the "controllers" at Triple Tree.
I made one of the shortest and quickest landings ever and got off the runway at the end of the first lake. (I probably should have landed long but I know the -8 can't fly final at the 55 knots we were doing to give the Champ some room.)
After securing the plane I walked over to discuss the situation with the -8 driver and all he had to say was that he "had us in sight" and when I asked him why he didn't respond to my radio calls, he said, "You are not supposed to use your radio when coming in here."
Well, that may be true, unless there is a dangerous situation and running up someone's tail is a dangerous situation.
I don't mind flying formation with someone I know, when prearranged and I don't mind formation takeoffs and landings with someone I know, again when prearranged but having this guy come up like he did and not know what he was going to do or was capable of is unacceptable in any book.
If this is the kind of thing that the certified guys see and experience from RV pilot's, then I get their distaste for the RV community.
Fly Safe, Fly Smart!
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