TFaudree_ERAU
Mashin' dem buttons
Anti-authority I believe it's called?
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/man-disregarded-nofly-order-go-fly-feds-say
Let me first go on the record and say that I don't encourage the tarnishing of anyone's image, especially not based on hearsay. However, this article has been published in a major regional newspaper, so it's available for anyone to read at this point. My main reason for posting this is so that the fledgling pilots in our group understand the real world implications of disregarding the regulations, having a lack of professionalism, and generally doing things "your way".
To any layman, either outside of or just starting in the aviation world, Andy seems like a talented, successful, well put-together professional aviator. The planes, cool. The facility, impressive. The advertising media, catchy. He's someone to whom a student pilot may very well give their business, and even worse, strive to be like. He's someone that, if emulated, could lead you to become a statistic. Unfortunately, the onus is on you to identify and avoid bad apples that care about no one other than themselves.
Since they're not published, I won't divulge details, but I've seen first hand quite a few (other) instances of having a "macho" attitude. Honestly, I believe anti-authority and macho go hand in hand in this industry; if you're one, you're most likely the other as well. Thankfully it didn't kill him, or my bosses on the few occasions they chose to use him as a contract pilot (against my advice...and begging and pleading).
If you're a student pilot, and your flight school is constantly under review by the airport authority, or losing airplanes to prop strikes, hitting light poles with wing tips, stall/spin crashes, etc etc (all with instructors on board) it might be time to find a new training facility.
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/man-disregarded-nofly-order-go-fly-feds-say
Let me first go on the record and say that I don't encourage the tarnishing of anyone's image, especially not based on hearsay. However, this article has been published in a major regional newspaper, so it's available for anyone to read at this point. My main reason for posting this is so that the fledgling pilots in our group understand the real world implications of disregarding the regulations, having a lack of professionalism, and generally doing things "your way".
To any layman, either outside of or just starting in the aviation world, Andy seems like a talented, successful, well put-together professional aviator. The planes, cool. The facility, impressive. The advertising media, catchy. He's someone to whom a student pilot may very well give their business, and even worse, strive to be like. He's someone that, if emulated, could lead you to become a statistic. Unfortunately, the onus is on you to identify and avoid bad apples that care about no one other than themselves.
Since they're not published, I won't divulge details, but I've seen first hand quite a few (other) instances of having a "macho" attitude. Honestly, I believe anti-authority and macho go hand in hand in this industry; if you're one, you're most likely the other as well. Thankfully it didn't kill him, or my bosses on the few occasions they chose to use him as a contract pilot (against my advice...and begging and pleading).
If you're a student pilot, and your flight school is constantly under review by the airport authority, or losing airplanes to prop strikes, hitting light poles with wing tips, stall/spin crashes, etc etc (all with instructors on board) it might be time to find a new training facility.
