New license.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

I see another amphibian has been landed on the water with the gear down, fortunately the pilot survived.


There should be a new license requirement for amphibians because the accident rate is far more than either wheels or straight sea planes.


A lot of the problem is the people who teach amphibious operations are incompetent.

[David MacRay]

That sounds reasonable.

Question:

A lot of the problem is the people who teach amphibious operations are incompetent.

How will a new additional license fix that?

[Chuck Ellsworth]

Because to teach amphibious flying the teacher must have the qualifications to teach it and a flight and oral test will be needed done by an independent examiner.


These accidents can be drastically reduced by proper teaching and using a very simple mental check before every landing.


I use and teach this check.


"" Where am I landing and where is my gear """


It is almost impossible to land with the wrong gear position if you ask yourself this question and confirm the gear is in the correct position for the surface you are about to land on.


Why such a simple reliable check is not taught is beyond my comprehension.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

O.K. :::




Someone only fly's once a year and it is in an amphibian.


Being good at the actual flying of the airplane will do you no good if you land your amphibian in the water with the gear down.


If they always use the mental gear position check I teach the probability of landing gear down in the water is remote to say the least.

[mmm...bacon]

O.K. :::


If they always use the mental gear position check I teach the probability of landing gear down in the water is remote to say the least.

But that's the big IF, Chuck.  You gotta remember to actually do the check. Good instruction and a check ride will make sure that you know the check, but will not insure that you use it. 

[Chuck Ellsworth]

These discussions almost always end up being very difficult for beginners to figure out just who to believe on any given subject.


So lets try this question.


Should anyone who is going to teach any flying skill be required to demonstrate they not only have the skills but can teach same?

[David MacRay]

Your initial concept of teaching better is solid I just have doubts it's possible. There are always going to be guys that won't listen to you or someone similar. Some need to go scare themselves for things to sink in.

[Chuck Ellsworth]

There is no guarantee that anyone will forget to do something.


But we can instil some critical checks in pilots that they are very unlikely to forget.

I have been flying amphibious aircraft since 1953 and teaching same for almost as long.

To the best of my knowledge none of my former students have landed with the gear in the wrong position.

I will  agree that there will be a certain percentage of pilots who are just not meant to fly.

A good teacher will recognize these individuals and not continue to try and teach them.

And therein lies some of the problem with teaching flying, money drives the industry and few instructors will turn money away.