Steve Appleton, Micron CEO, Dies In Plane Crash 116
CR0WTR0B0T writes "Micron CEO Steve Appleton was killed in a plane crash around 9AM on Friday, February 3rd. He was flying an experimental fixed-wing single engine Lancair, which crashed in between two runways at the Boise airport."
Re:Where was his golden... okay I won't (Score:5, Informative)
The "Experimental" tag is applied to anything except for vanilla factory builds, even changing engine from factory default usually ends up with an "experimental" sign on the aircraft. The tag does not reflect on it's safety. They do have a higher incidence of accidents then factory, but that seems to be attributed to second owners rather than builders, and very rarely to the aircraft itself.
Audio of the Crash (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Where was his golden... okay I won't (Score:5, Informative)
A lot of people hear "experimental aircraft", and assume that it is a high-risk, never-proved type of aircraft, but that's rarely true. "Experimental" is just a type of aircraft certification by the FAA.
The different certificates available can be seen here on Wikipedia [wikipedia.org]. Almost everything that is homebuilt or home-modified carries this certification, even if that model of plane has been built thousands of times by other builders, and has been in constant use for decades. Even a change to the engine will throw a stock plane into the experimental category.
You probably have a friend or two who is a member of the EAA. That organization's name is "Experimental Aircraft Association".
Re:The biggest paragraph in the press release (Score:2, Informative)
Just a line they include in every press release. Nothing to see here.
Fast Glass (Score:5, Informative)
Coming from an EAA member with some hands on experience in aircraft construction etc.
Lancairs are light composite home/kit built aircraft with somewhat high wing loading and comparitively powerful engines.
On one hand, you have near-turboprop like speed and performance for a quarter of the price. On the other hand, you end up with some not so agreeable handling characteristics.
I'll just say that amongst the General Aviation and home / kit community that "They have a bit of a reputation."
Re:Fast Glass (Score:4, Informative)
I'll just say that amongst the General Aviation and home / kit community that "They have a bit of a reputation."
Bit of a reputation! Hah! That's an understatement. They're flying coffins. I won't get in one. Same goes for a QuestAir Venture.
Dangerous as hell unless in the hands of a pilot who's got way above average stick & rudder skills and WAY FAR SUPER-DUPER above average judgmental abilities. Lose you engine and unless you point the nose to the ground immediately to keep your airspeed up above stall, you'll have the same, predictable results.
Don't pick up any ice on the wings or tailfeathers of a Lancair either.
I'm also an EAA member, who built a few RVs and currently fly an -8. A much more sane-handling experimental under adverse conditions, and still plenty fast and fun to fly.
Re:Where was his golden... okay I won't (Score:5, Informative)
Experimental are all planes that have not been vetted by proper people.
WRONG. Experimental aircraft, when ready for their first flight, go through an inspection from an FAA representative that is extremely thorough. The build log of the plane (which is required to be detailed) is examined, every system on the plane is demonstrated on the ground, and a provisional airworthiness certificate is granted. At that point, a flight test plan is agreed upon (anywhere from 25 to 60 hours, depending upon whether it's an original design or a well-known kit from a major manufacturer). The test flights, which include operating the aircraft on every maneuver it is expected to perform, flight at the extremes of its weight-and-balance profile, performance measurements, and operation of all flight systems (navigation instruments, flight instruments, etc.) is demonstrated under actual flight. Once these tests are performed and signed off, the aircraft is again inspected, just as rigorously. Then, and only then, is it granted an airworthiness certificate.
Experimental planes ARE vetted by the proper people.
I'm building an experimental plane. I'm a pilot. I know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. You're talking out of your ass.