I have no doubt that the boy who died in a plane crash in Essex did well to aim his plane at a park and narrowly avoid blocks of flats and playgrounds. It is quite possible, maybe even probable, that his plane had a mechanical fault and that even the most skilled and experienced pilot could have done no better, so this is no criticism of him, but am I the only one who is surprised that a child of 16 is allowed to fly an aeroplane on his own?
The lad was on his second solo flight and had only clocked up 15 hours of flying time – which presumably included the first solo flight. I just can’t get my head around the idea that you cannot even drive a car while accompanied until you are 17 but can fly a plane all on your own, which I am assuming is a bit more difficult. Certainly its a bit more dangerous if you stall the engine.
I know its not the same thing, but when I flew a helicopter a couple of years ago it felt very precarious and never in my life have I felt more thankful to have dual controls!
Mind you, it all seems to work out OK. Something seems to prevent the total idiots from taking to the air.
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