16-year-old pilot, crash, 1 fatal

[Crockrocket94]

I remember when I first started flying about the age of 17, and it was something I took very very seriously. It was not a game by any means. It was something that was fun, but was also extremely serious in the fact that I am doing something not many people around me did.

As an instructor I had many younger students, ages 19-22 and most of them were good and took everything seriously. I only had 1 or 2 people that I didn't feel felt the responsibility aspect of flying. And those students never got signed off by me. I let someone else try and get through to them if I couldn't.

 

[BajtheJino]

Darwin: Strikes again.

 

[Murdoughnut]

According to witnesses, plane "climbed then banked left and crashed"

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headli...ff-During-Solo-Practice-Flight-298059521.html

 

[knot4u]

Darwin: Strikes again.

Are you sure? Seems like a very finite judgement from an uninformed point of view. Perhaps you are aware of something the rest of us haven't been made aware of thus far.

 

[BajtheJino]

Yes. I am. Some people shouldn't operate motor vehicles of any sort. It doesn't matter if its a scooter or an airplane. Sometimes excrement happens. Its just the way it is. Theres no judgement of what kind of person the person was or what they believed, or who their family was. Sheet happens.

 

[poser765]

I think that maturity is a very individual thing. I have seen some 16 year olds that I would trust to operate an airplane. I have seen other 16 year olds that I would not trust to operate a golf cart.

I've seen some pilots I would trust in an airplane without question that I would also refuse to get into a golf cart with.

 

[poser765]

Yes. I am. Some people shouldn't operate motor vehicles of any sort. It doesn't matter if its a scooter or an airplane. Sometimes excrement happens. Its just the way it is. Theres no judgement of what kind of person the person was or what they believed, or who their family was. Sheet happens.

I not sure you really understand what "Darwinism" means.

 

[RRPower]

A well trained 16 year old is far safer soloing in a plane than he is driving a car with friends.

My dad told me I was going to solo a plane before soloing a car. He wanted me to appreciate responsibility and that's exactly what I did. Best thing ever in my life.

 

[BEEF SUPREME]

As I stated above, it's just not a "maturity" issue (regardless of age), IMO. It is not having the experience to be able to handle any and all issues/emergencies that may arise, as well as the skill sets honed over years to aid in those events which may be the problem.

Shhhhhheeeiiiiiiiiitttttt

At over 5k hours, 3 types and 37 years old I hope I can handle when my day comes.

 

[A Life Aloft]

Shhhhhheeeiiiiiiiiitttttt

At over 5k hours, 3 types and 37 years old I hope I can handle when my day comes.

Huh? If that is your current experience and time, how would what I said, even apply to you???

 

[Boris Badenov]

I never had an issue with any 16 year old or younger students. The ones that started that young (and stuck with it for more than three lessons) seemed to take it very seriously and respected the airplane and the instructor. I had more issues with the 18~21 year old students being immature.

Alex.

I had similar experiences. The little nerds (like me) who showed up with their e6b already out and several practice problems worked out...being at the airport was the highlight of their week. It was the dudes whose Dads had bought them a Vette for high school graduation who pulled up in a cloud of smoke 45 minutes late, probably hungover, and stared blankly at me when I asked them, you know, "so...what are we doing today?"

 

[MikeD]

There's only so much a 16 year old is going to know regarding aviation and overall flight experience. No different than anyone starting out who is low in overall aviation experience.

That said, it does get tiring seeing the people who want to try and make the record for youngest pilot out there. One Jessica DuBroff incident is enough. One too many really.

 

[🦈💜]

There's only so much a 16 year old is going to know regarding aviation and overall flight experience. No different than anyone starting out who is low in overall aviation experience.

That said, it does get tiring seeing the people who want to try and make the record for youngest pilot out there. One Jessica DuBroff incident is enough. One too many really.

Agreed, though a 16-year-old soloing is not that.

-Fox

 

[BEEF SUPREME]

I had similar experiences. The little nerds (like me) who showed up with their e6b already out and several practice problems worked out...being at the airport was the highlight of their week. It was the dudes whose Dads had bought them a Vette for high school graduation who pulled up in a cloud of smoke 45 minutes late, probably hungover, and stared blankly at me when I asked them, you know, "so...what are we doing today?"

Sorry about that bro.

*shouting from the back of the airplane:

"HEY THE CABIN IS TOO COLD PEION!"

"WHY IS IT SO BUMPY"

 

[MikeD]

Agreed, though a 16-year-old soloing is not that.

-Fox

But a 16 yr old is still low experience overall as a new pilot, like any new pilot. Whether or not that figures into this particular accident, I do not know.

 

[🦈💜]

But a 16 yr old is still low experience overall as a new pilot, like any new pilot. Whether or not that figures into this particular accident, I do not know.

Certainly. A student pilot is, by definition, low-experience!

-Fox