The 72-year-old was flying solo in a World War Two training aircraft
Really? Are we sure this isn't an internet prank?
He is a highly experienced pilot - I very much doubt it's a prank.
The first story I saw regarding this said he was in a critical condition...Thank goodness that seems to have been replaced by better information. ....hoping for a swift recovery.....
He's very, very lucky. The plane seems to be quite battered although still more or less in one piece. Not a bad job of gliding onto the small clearing at the golf club, by the look of things. A tree was clipped by all accounts. The impact must have been earth-shattering. WWII vintage planes do seem to carry a bit more risk than usual. You never know how much metal fatigue has worn in. Yet the draw to conquer the elements in one of those things must be irresistible - I think that is something I can understand.
Edit: It looks like he had completed most of the the left turn, following takeoff from Santa Monica, needed to get back to land on runway 3 - that would be a 180 degree turn. He just didn't have sufficient energy to get to the runway. I'm guessing he didn't even reach 1000 feet above ground level. If the prop couldn't be feathered it would have been a liability.
Interestingly enough, the simulation world has something to say about the Ryan Recruit:
The 72-year-old was flying solo in a World War Two training aircraft
Really? Are we sure this isn't an internet prank?
He is a highly experienced pilot - I very much doubt it's a prank.
The first story I saw regarding this said he was in a critical condition...Thank goodness that seems to have been replaced by better information. ....hoping for a swift recovery.....
Thxs, I didn't know he was a pilot. Boy rough two years for the old chap! He's always been a class act. Hope he recovers very soon.
Thxs, I didn't know he was a pilot. Boy rough two years for the old chap! He's always been a class act. Hope he recovers very soon.
There's a good section on his Wikipedia page regarding his aviation experience and qualifications, as well as the amount of humanitarian work he is involved in through aviation. He's an amazing gent, he really is....
The 72-year-old was flying solo in a World War Two training aircraft
Really? Are we sure this isn't an internet prank?
He is a highly experienced pilot - I very much doubt it's a prank.
The first story I saw regarding this said he was in a critical condition...Thank goodness that seems to have been replaced by better information. ....hoping for a swift recovery.....
Thxs, I didn't know he was a pilot. Boy rough two years for the old chap! He's always been a class act. Hope he recovers very soon.
Oh, jeez, yes. He's actually participated in several rescue operations of others, in fact.
