Comments on: Tough Week

By: Douglas E. Monroe

Douglas E. Monroe — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:12:21 +0000

This story hit me hard. I’m a plank owner of CGAS Sacramento and was the first tool crib petty officer there in 1978. I worked for a JG named Chuck Uriwitz and flew HC-130Hs out of CGAS San Francisco and CGAS Sacramento. May God take those nine precious souls who have entered into their rest. Semper Paratus/Semper Fidelis!

AM3 Douglas E. Monroe USCG 75-79

By: FbL

FbL — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:38:10 +0000

It was a very hard week for the groundpounders, too. Just ugly all the way around.

May they all rest in peace, and may their families someday find some peace of their own, too.

By: Bookworm Room » Wonderful stuff from all over the blogosphere

Bookworm Room » Wonderful stuff from all over the blogosphere — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:12:07 +0000

[...] it is terribly unforgiving of any carelessness, incapacity or neglect.” Neptunus Lex, sadly, reminds us of the truth behind that quotation from Captain A. G. Lamplugh. It’s not always the battle that’s [...]

By: Scary

Scary — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:07:25 +0000

Mid-air collision is what I worry about most while flying, especially while flying jumpers. In the climb to altitude it’s very difficult to see whats in front of you due to the steep climb angle. In the decent doing 165 kts and 6000 feet per minute you had better keep your head on a swivel. I lost 5 good friends 15 years ago when a Cherokee with an instructor and his student hit our Cessna 182 at 500 feet shortly after takeoff. Its a big sky out there, but not that big.

By: Scott

Scott — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:54:55 +0000

I hope the families find solace in exactly what I told my family, for over twenty years to think of, should I wind up with landings not equaling takeoffs.

Remember that these valiant volunteers were doing exactly what they wanted to do – what they passionately embraced. That they were given the finest equipment the taxpayers could provide. That they were the best trained aircrews in the world. That what they were doing was important, and made a difference. But at the end of the day, it is a business of manageable risks, and while they may be managed, those risks will mean that some will pay the ultimate price. But never forget, they were doing what they almost certainly loved to do.

By: bdgerjmn

bdgerjmn — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:36:56 +0000

Most TMS(Type Model Series) NVG training rules require lights on for training flights with NVGs(especially in Co-use airspace) and as already stated the time of day this mishap occurred would most likely have precluded the use of NVGs. Regardless of who is talking to Beaver most mutual use airspace is governed by MARSA when multiple units are utilizing such airspace. Also, Beaver, much like Giant Killer or Sea Lord on the east coast can provide radar advisories but not necessarily IFR separation. Finally, there have been plenty of mishaps(midairs) while both aircrew and airplanes were operating with NVGs and lights. They(NVGs) don’t turn night into day(common misperception) and they certainly don’t make seeing the outline of an airplane easier until within about a mile, depending on the size of the aircraft. To wonder how or why this mishap occurred is the job of the AMB and to the best of their ability I’m sure they will flesh out as much possible information as possible.