[ - ] BMN003 1 point 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 10:36:17 ago (+1/-0)
They could always fly in the rain. They just wouldn't certify them to fly in a thunderstorm because they were initially missing the inert gas fuel tank protection system, and then there were issues with it leaking. In theory without that system working a lightning strike could cause a destructive fire. But in practice that happens in commercial aviation all the time without one of those systems and not much happens.
Of course to fly in the rain you need a competent pilot, and from the sound of it this one went "oop, virtual horizon on my HUD just died. I don't know how to read my analog instruments. Punching out."
Maybe you should reread the article. The pilot had an electrical issue caused by the weather, "heavy rain storm", and the pilot mistook the malfunctions as a loss of guidance and got disoriented in the IFR conditions. He then ejected. While the pilot didn't need to eject when he did, the onset that caused the pilot to become disoriented and make the "pilot error" was electrical issues in a heavy rain storm. It is an assumption that the rain caused the electrical issues, but seems like a safe assumption.
Sounds like a diversity hire pilot. I've seen guys fly home in the worst sorts of weather with a jet that only had basic shit like an analog horizon, a paper map, and a compass.
I'm a pilot. Without proper IFR equipment, you can't maintain straight and level flight without visual reference to the ground. Our human interia system isn't good enough. In the clouds, you need at least 3 of the basic 6 pack of flying instruments, or you'll end up dead purdy quick.
From the sounds of things, it seems like the pilot was taught to do more troubleshooting before giving up and ejecting and more troubleshooting would have solved the problem making ejection unnecessary. But you never know. They like to blame individuals when $30 million planes are lost.
[ + ] DukeofRaul
[ - ] DukeofRaul 0 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 09:01:32 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] Anus_Expander
[ - ] Anus_Expander 2 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 10:34:38 ago (+2/-0)
[ + ] Clubberlang
[ - ] Clubberlang 0 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 12:32:47 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 3 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 06:30:01 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] BMN003
[ - ] BMN003 1 point 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 10:36:17 ago (+1/-0)
Of course to fly in the rain you need a competent pilot, and from the sound of it this one went "oop, virtual horizon on my HUD just died. I don't know how to read my analog instruments. Punching out."
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 3 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 12:22:53 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] PotatoWhisperer2
[ - ] PotatoWhisperer2 0 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 13:37:07 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 0 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 16:04:44 ago (+0/-0)
From the sounds of things, it seems like the pilot was taught to do more troubleshooting before giving up and ejecting and more troubleshooting would have solved the problem making ejection unnecessary. But you never know. They like to blame individuals when $30 million planes are lost.
[ + ] Puller_of_Noses
[ - ] Puller_of_Noses 5 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 08:15:04 ago (+5/-0)
Imagine driving at 500mph at night in a pounding rainstorm at 12k ft... and the lights go out.
[ + ] Clubberlang
[ - ] Clubberlang 1 point 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 12:30:09 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] DukeofRaul
[ - ] DukeofRaul 7 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 05:17:36 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] oyveyo
[ - ] oyveyo [op] 7 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 05:34:29 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] InYourFaceNancyGrace
[ - ] InYourFaceNancyGrace 2 points 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 12:20:30 ago (+2/-0)*
eh, I've got another
what, me worry?
have you seen my aerodynamics? lol who needs lift?
bout time the pilot used his visor
really that's just "take off gear," don't need it to land. Anyway, made it home patch me up and send me back out!
F-35 JSF (~$110 million/plane)
oh well, guess I'll die.
[ + ] Clubberlang
[ - ] Clubberlang 1 point 3 monthsJan 23, 2025 12:29:00 ago (+1/-0)