View Poll Results: What New Topic Subject Would You Like?

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  • Young Eagles

    6 40.00%
  • Chapters

    6 40.00%
  • Weather

    2 13.33%
  • Simulations

    1 6.67%
  • Flying Destinations / Events

    9 60.00%
  • Safety

    4 26.67%
  • Light Sport

    5 33.33%
  • Buying & Selling

    3 20.00%
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Thread: Next Forum Topic Sections

  1. #1
    PaulDow's Avatar
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    Next Forum Topic Sections

    Now that it seems this message board is completely perfect (except for some color preferences,) can we start looking into adding a couple of new topic sections? Feel free to add your own ideas in replies.
    I got the poll items from the suggestions in the old 365 message titles. I didn't go into the individual messages, so there may be other suggestions I didn't see.
    Last edited by PaulDow; 08-04-2011 at 04:57 PM.

  2. #2

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    i would really like to have a discussion with other pilots, owners, mechanics, and just enthusiasts on several topics that I either have some knowledge of or want to learn more about.
    Safety is one issue, but it doesn't seem to draw interest, it is just not flashy enough. I wrote at some lenght about a safety issue on the warbird topic,and it hasn't drawn even one reply, except for a number of people that were only focused on what paint scheme the plane had.
    The largest response that I have seen, by far was not about airplanes of any kind or of flying at all , but it was about cell phone use. That got a big response. It seems even on this EAA site, that cell phones have a lot more interest to folks than flying. I realize the difference in cost, and maybe I am old fashioned, but flying of almost any kind in almost any airplane, seems a lot more fun than talking on even the most techno complex cell phone ever has.

  3. #3

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    I always land in here via "what's new". My "bookmark" is that actual link. I also think the vBulletin search works pretty well.

    That being said, my suggestion is to not overdo the topics and subtopics - let people post where they think it is best and let the mods move the posts in the rare cases it is needed.

    I'm not saying no new topics are needed; just that it should not be over-thought to much.

  4. #4
    I've been watching the number of new members growing since monday. Looks like the count has increased by 200. Not bad. I would like to see a section for homebuilders help broken up into sub-forums for particular aircraft manufacturers.

  5. #5
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    Safety is one issue, but it doesn't seem to draw interest, it is just not flashy enough. I wrote at some lenght about a safety issue on the warbird topic,and it hasn't drawn even one reply, except for a number of people that were only focused on what paint scheme the plane had.
    If you're referring to the mid-air at Duxford, honestly that as an experimental flight safety discussion is kind of a moot point since the vast majority of us never fly in formation let alone try a breakaway maneuver from one. There's a bigger interest in safety when it pertains to things that actually effect the average pilot. At very least, you'll have myself (as an aviation safety researcher) to discuss, debate with and bounce ideas off of.

  6. #6
    Anymouse's Avatar
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    I'm not a big fan of sub-forums, but then again, I'm also one of those "New Posts" people, so I'll rarely see it. I think before adding a bunch of new forums or sub-forums it might be wise to wait a while and see how things shake out. Over time, it will become obvious if another forum is needed. BTW... here is an extreme example of having too many forums and sub-forums...

    http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/forum.php

    All that being said, I think a Fly Mart section would be nice for those members that wish to buy/sell/trade stuff.
    Someday I'll come up with something profound to put here.

  7. #7

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    Steve, what kind of plane do you fly? Or fly with? You may be right that the vast majority of EAA members will never fly in formation, but that seems to me to be pretty limiting. Formation flying is one of the fun things that you can do in gen aviation. And it is not that hard, despite what all the "experts" would have you believe. Certainly the basics need to be learned, but practically anyone can do it. There are 3 main points, 1. you find the 45* (or 30*) reference point on your target plane, like wing tip lined up with tailwheel on a T-6, 2. Realize that every move has more than one effect such as if you add power you not only move forward but climb, and 3. You NEVER take your eye off the leader when in close. Sure there are signals of when to change position and other fine tuning, but it is a lot easier than some people make it out. Now, I am talking basic formation, normal flight in calm conditions; not being a member of the Aeroshell team. If you are interested in learning then get the 2 video tapes from EAA as a start. Don't just go out and try it without any idea of what you are doing. It can be dangerous, though for the most part EAA accidents have not come from formation flying; except for quite a few accidents in military jet teams.
    Formation flying is not just for experimental planes, many groups like Mooneys, Bonanzas, and my favorite the big DC-3 flight last year have flown into Oshkosh. I would think many, if not most, EAA pilots would want to learn formation flying, just like acrobatics, or ultrlights, or sea planes, etc. I haven't gotten to seaplanes yet, but hope too. I think most people in EAA would want to experience most all ways of fun or sport flying.
    And there may be safety issues that in some aspects range across the spectrum, not just in pockets. If the Duxford accident may have been caused by one pilot trying to fly too close, to overdo it, then why do people do that? Why do people try to do acro too close to the ground, or try to stretch fuel range and run out on final to FLD or land too fast and long on rnwy 36 and run off the end?
    Some of safety is knowing and practicing the right skills, but some is the catch points in human behavior. If you gave the F16 pilot a written exam, would he chose to land long and fast on a wet runway downwind? But in an airshow environment human emotions may take over.

  8. #8
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    I have access to an Aeronca Chief and the standard stuff (Cessnas and Pipers). I don't believe it's difficult to do formation flying just that it's not the most common circumstance and if we are aiming to get the NTSB and FAA off our butts and keep each other safe, we have bigger issues to focus upon. It's not that I disagree with you, but rather that I was making a point out applicability. I don't generally respond to threads that don't pertain to my interests and that might explain why you saw such a low response.

  9. #9

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    Steve, warbirds are my biggest interest,and I think also an exciting part of sport aviation. So I might not see that others are not into the same thing. But beyond the normal warbird interest, the recent colliosn and bailout at Duxford is pretty unusual and grabs you attention, and it was caught so well on cameras. Who was that great photographer?
    Have you see the photos of it in sequence, and the videos?
    I can see how formation might not be your main choice, but as for as the FAA or NTSB off our butts, I don't think they have any special interest in this aspect of flying. It has be awhile since I have flown formation,and last time was in Canada so I might not be up on the latest.
    Think of this, How difficlut would you think it is for a young person, WITHOUT FORMAL TRAINING, to operate a mechanical device that requires balancing on two thin patches of rubber smaller than a donut? A doing this mostly in an environment that an lead to a hard impact and severe injury?
    How hard do you think it is for a normal person, without extra sharp vision or reflexes and no formal formation training to operate a machine at high speed and and within feet of other large machines?
    Most every 10 year old kid can ride his bike down the street,and most every driver can drive his car on the freeway, at high speed and in the midst of lots of other traffic, even large trucks. The potential for collison and danger is always there, but most trips are safe.
    Yes, I know airplanes operate in 3 dimensions,and are subject to gravity. But the comparison is not night and day. Normal formation flying can be learned, and it is fun to do. This is not to say that a few hours are going to make one ready to join the Aeroshell team.

  10. #10
    steveinindy's Avatar
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    Steve, warbirds are my biggest interest,and I think also an exciting part of sport aviation
    They are a big interest of mine as well, although I see them as part of "sport aviation" at least not in the sense that the phrase is used now. The exception to this might be the L and O birds. However, while I love warbirds, I personally don't care for airshows so I don't see an immediate and absolute connection between a love for warbirds and a need for formation flying.

    Have you see the photos of it in sequence, and the videos?
    I have. In fact, as an aviation safety researcher with decent connections, I have seen it from a couple of angles that the rest of the public most likely has not.

    but as for as the FAA or NTSB off our butts, I don't think they have any special interest in this aspect of flying
    No, but they have a vested interest in figuring out/improving the safety record of EAB aircraft which is what I was referring to with my prior comment.

    Yes, I know airplanes operate in 3 dimensions,and are subject to gravity. But the comparison is not night and day. Normal formation flying can be learned, and it is fun to do. This is not to say that a few hours are going to make one ready to join the Aeroshell team.
    I think you missed my point entirely. MOST pilots don't do aerobatics or formation flying because they simply don't care enough to do so not because they see it as some mystical form of aeronautic brain surgery. It's kind of like how you'd probably be bored with my desire to go point A to point B as fast as possible in private aircraft. So why get bent out of shape when addressing your interest in a forum where most of us will never fly formation (unless you count the arrival stream at KOSH ) and no one expresses an interest beyond the loss of a beautiful plane?

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