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jrh · June 19th, 2005, 00:32

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1) What kind of idiot doesn't have a transponder and cruises at 2500 feet?

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Tons. If it's legal, why not? A friend of mine operates his C-150 without a transponder all the time because he never goes into busy areas. Why spend the money on a transponder if you don't need to?
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2) What near-death experiences have you had as a CFI? Have any gotten you to the point where you kissed the ground upon your return to Earth?

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I had the exact same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. Except we didn't have any TCAS sort of equipment. Both the student and I were looking outside, but a Taylorcraft flew in front of us. He came from left to right, and a little higher than us, so the wing and air vent of our C-152 blocked him until he was almost on top of us. It caught me off guard, but I still believe in the big sky theory...it worked, didn't it?

It also made a great lesson for the student on how the majority of collisions don't happen head on, and how right-of-way rules only mean so much...we might have had the right of way, but in the real world, do whatever it takes to keep from hitting someone.

Maybe I'm too laid back, or not experienced enough, but I haven't been scared enough to kiss the ground for anything yet.

June 19th, 2005, 00:32	#2
jrh Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,775	Re: Brushes with death... [ QUOTE ] 1) What kind of idiot doesn't have a transponder and cruises at 2500 feet? [/ QUOTE ] Tons. If it's legal, why not? A friend of mine operates his C-150 without a transponder all the time because he never goes into busy areas. Why spend the money on a transponder if you don't need to? [ QUOTE ] 2) What near-death experiences have you had as a CFI? Have any gotten you to the point where you kissed the ground upon your return to Earth? [/ QUOTE ] I had the exact same thing happen to me a few weeks ago. Except we didn't have any TCAS sort of equipment. Both the student and I were looking outside, but a Taylorcraft flew in front of us. He came from left to right, and a little higher than us, so the wing and air vent of our C-152 blocked him until he was almost on top of us. It caught me off guard, but I still believe in the big sky theory...it worked, didn't it? It also made a great lesson for the student on how the majority of collisions don't happen head on, and how right-of-way rules only mean so much...we might have had the right of way, but in the real world, do whatever it takes to keep from hitting someone. Maybe I'm too laid back, or not experienced enough, but I haven't been scared enough to kiss the ground for anything yet.