Who teaches the top aerobatic pilots?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

You have to look at aerobatics like any other sport. Consider any top athlete and you'll find that their road to the top was diverse and relied heavily on self discipline, goal setting, tenacity, practice practice practice, etc.

 

If you pick any top aerobatics pilot you'll probably find that most of them were trained basic aerobatics in the military or were taught basic aerobatics at an early age. You'll also find that they tend to be top achievers, successful, and driven at whatever they aim to accomplish.

 

To see who teaches these top aerobatics pilots, take a look at some of the top military air forces like the United States, Israel, France, Germany, UK, Italy, Russia, Australia, Canada and so on.

 

If you want to see who teaches aerobatics around the world check out this website for a listing:

 

International Aerobatic Club

 

Two of my personal favorite aerobatic pilots are Patty Wagstaff and Bob Hoover. I saw them both years ago and they were spectacular. I was especially impressed with Captain Hoover and his dead stick aerobatics in his twin engine Shrike Aero Commander. WoW! was that impressive. See for yourself:

Bob Hoover -- Engine-out Aerobatics!

Bob even poured iced tea from a pitcher to a glass while rolling to show the positive g force in the maneuver.

 

Patty has competed for many years and I believe she still performs in airshow around the country.

 

Patty also has a Aerobatic Flight School in Florida:

Patty Wagstaff Air Shows : The Official Patty Wagstaff Website

 

I guess you can sum it up by saying you can't teach someone to be a top aerobatic pilot or athlete, it's something that you learn and earn.

 

Thomas Zerbarini

Who teaches the top aerobatic pilots?

How much work is it to repaint an airplane?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

As others have pointed out, painting an airplane is very expensive.

What I have found over the last few years is that most airlines used to paint their own aircraft or do it locally. Now I find that it is being outsourced mostly to Mexico. Mexico has less stringent environmental regulation and poor environmental oversight. So, they are dramatically cheaper and faster at stripping and painting aircraft.

I have seen these operations and they do a very good job most of the time. Occasionally we have to send one back for a redo.

Now, painting an aircraft is one thing. Maintenance and inspections is another. There are a number of airlines around the world that outsource their major maintenance to cheaper labor countries. I don't agree with the practice and feel the maintenance should be done at the airline, or at the very least, within the same country the airline and maintenance facility is certificated if the airline has to outsource its major maintenance.

The Disturbing Truth About How Airplanes Are Maintained Today

None of the airlines I fly for outsources its maintenance out of the country except Canada where there is a close relationship with the United States. 

Thomas Zerbarini

How much work is it to repaint an airplane?

Are airline pilots basically just good monitors?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

Pilots need to be good monitors/managers of systems; yet, they need to be good aviators too.

The issue that comes to mind when this question is asked revolves around automation and flight automation and aircraft control philosophy.

The two major manfacturers of commercial aircraft (Boeing and Airbus) have completely different philosophy's when it comes to automation:

“Boeing flight decks are designed to provide automation to assist, but not replace, the flight crew member responsible for safe operation of the airplane.” — Boeing

“All aircraft have physical limits that they must not exceed... These limits define the flight envelope, not to be exceeded during normal operation.” —Airbus

Basically, Boeing allows a pilot full flight control authority to meet any need the pilot deems necessary to handle any emergency. Airbus places hard limits and will not allow the pilot to exceed any hard envelope.

Here's an article for a good overview of the philosophy differences between the two manufactures: 

http://www.aerospaceamerica.org/...

I personally agree with the Boeing philosophy and find that there seems to be issues lately with too much automation. When humans rely on too much automation, there is the possibility for complacency. When automation does something unexpected or misunderstood by the pilots; and, when the other pilot does something unexpected or unknown by the other pilot (AF 447, no side stick feedback.) 

Automation Has Made Airline Travel Safer. But Are Pilots Too Dependent on It? 

Or the new Airbus A350 that embarrassingly self aborted on a media flight from JFK to Dubai. 

Qatar Airways flight comes to a halt in aborted JFK takeoff 

And of course the Boeing 777 crash in San Fransisco where the pilots relied on automation to control their speed and did not realize the auto-throttles were off.

http://www.ntsb.gov/news/events/...

Here is a more complete bullet list of each manufacturers philosophy. I included McDonald Douglas from the 80's even though it is now merged with Boeing.

Airbus' Philosophy on Automation

• Automation must not reduce overall aircraft reliability; it should enhance aircraft and systems safety, efficiency and economy.
• Automation must not lead the aircraft out of the safe flight envelope to its full extent, should this be necessary due to extraordinary circumstances.
• Automation should allow the operator to use the safe flight envelope to its full extent, should this be necessary due to extraordinary circumstances.
• Within the normal flight envelope, the automation must not work against operator inputs, except when absolutely necessary for safety.

Boeing's Flight Deck Automation Philosophy

• The pilot is the final authority for the operation of the airplane.
• Both crew members are ultimately responsible for the safe conduct of the flight.
• Flight crew tasks, in order of priority, are: safety, passenger comfort, and efficiency.
• Design for crew operations based on pilot's past training and operational experience.
• Design systems to be error tolerant.
• The hierarchy of design alternatives is: simplicity, redundancy, and automation.
• Apply automation as a tool to aid, not replace, the pilot.
• Address fundamental human strengths, limitations, and individual differences-for both normal and non-normal operations.
• Use new technologies and functional capabilities only when:
• They result in clear and distinct operational or efficiency advantages, and
• There is no adverse effect to the human-machine interface.

McDonnell-Douglas

• Uses technology to assist the pilot naturally, while giving the pilot the final authority to override the computer and use skill and experience.

Thomas Zerebarini

Are airline pilots basically just good monitors?

Are wings like this practical on jets? Are there any other type of vehicles that could benefit from curved wings?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

The forward swept wing is a design makes an aircraft highly maneuverable. It does so because the wing is incredibly unstable. It requires computer fly by wire technology to allow engineers to fly an aircraft with such a wing. It would be impossible for a forward swept wing aircraft to be controlled solely by human input and hydraulics.

For more information on this wing design, see my answer to a similar question:

What is the most maneuverable aircraft in the world?

Here's a great video with an overview of the X29 Forward Swept Wing (FSW.)

Thomas Zerbarini

Are wings like this practical on jets? Are there any other type of vehicles that could benefit from curved wings?

What would be a good way to incentive parenting classes for new and existing parents?

Answer by Thomas Zerbarini:

I'm not sure there is a catch all way to motivate all parents to be good parents.

Personally, I find that I want my children to be:

• Happy
• Safe
• Free from Bullies
• Educated
• Honest
• Engaged
• Successful
• Outgoing
• Loyal
• A good brother or sister
• A good friend
• Friendly
• God Fearing
• Analytical
• Brave
• Good Leaders as well as good followers
• Loving
• Respectful
• Healthy
• Clean
• Energetic
• Funny
• Musical

The funny part about it, is that I want and strive for the same things myself. So, I think it is safe to deduce that you need to educate people how to be good people first. Then, you'll have good people wanting to be good parents.

Values like family, honor and integrity seem to be less taught or emphasized these days. We seem to be shifting more to a society striving for self gratification and personal entitlement instead of for the greater good of your family, neighborhood, city, state, and even country. I believe that if a person cares about the bigger picture of their role in this society that they will care about how they interface with it. I think that is the basis for a person wanting to be a good person, sibling, child, spouse and yes a parent.

I have a lot more personal observation and opinion on this if anyone would like to comment and add to the subject. I'd love to hear what other think about this subject.

Thomas Zerbarini

What would be a good way to incentive parenting classes for new and existing parents?