Someone will die in the future for this decision to lift pilot suspensions
As someone who voted for President Trump, is a former USAF Special Operations helicopter pilot, and member of the Pentagon Press Corp, I must say loudly that the decision by these aircrews to break regulations, and the Secretary of War's decision to end the aircrew's suspension, is wrong, will engender more of this type of activity, and will eventually lead to the death of military personnel or civilians on the ground.
Airshows and unsanctioned aircraft low level flight outside of training airspace is very dangerous activity. Pilots tend to 'push the envelope' to show off, and very often die because of it.
First of all, when you fly in low level airspace that is not marked for hazards, you frequently don't know the hazards are there. For instance, what if KidRock had an antenna that was hard to see, an awning top that was not well-secured that could blow away under rotorwash, or a power line that was not marked.
Helicopters get into these type of accidents ALL THE TIME and people die.
Aircrews also want to 'look good' in these types of show flights...it's dangerous and frequently ends in disaster. Here is an example.
These pilots took risks with other people's lives, and millions of dollars worth of equipment.
And finally, what type of message does this send to young aircrews, and what does it do to the commander's authority in the unit?
What other regulations can aircrews now break and get away with it? This incident is horrible for good order and discipline.
The removal of the pilot suspensions by the Secretary of War is unfortunate.
There will be bad consequences down the road for this.
I can't think of a more unprofessional act. And, here I thought we were rebuilding professionalism in the U.S. military.
Low pass by a remote home? Not an issue LT., sorry.
Your comment is disengenous to start as hovering over a house is not a 'low pass'. I guess it isn't a big deal if you have no standards and are not a competent leader. That is the problem with today's US armed forces - no standards, no accountability.
I'm a former Marine Corps H-46 helicopter pilot. There is a culture among helo pilots (well disliked by ground pounders) of free will, independent action, and some disregard for rules. Of course, 99% of the time, you stay within regulations. But--by denying any straying across the lines, you create a group of followers. Pilots require great decision making on the spot, no time to deal with or check the regulations. Being overly restrictive can be dangerous to that culture.
Flying low level off-range, and endangering civilians and multi-million $ aircraft is not great decision making on the spot. It is what gets people killed. I'm a former US Army helo pilot as well. Complete bullshit comment.
Well said sir. “Karen’s” exist everywhere, but you won’t find successful pilots who are Karen’s. Like the Karen author of this self righteousness article.
Calling a pilot who flew for a Tier One counterterrorism unit with customers like ST6 and Delta an 'unsucessfull' Karen is just iditoic and ignorant. Much of these procedures and regulations are written in blood from experience like notes, cautions, and warnings. I know of several pilots who are no more due to stupid stunts from my Army Guard Aviation days.