Glad that ended well. It's nerve racking being part of such activities, done that a couple of times trying to locate a lost plane or two. Hope the guy gets help he needs it!
I used to operate the 'Gitso' Continental engines and they required special handling otherwise two things would happen, you either destroyed the geared engine or you where sacked!
That's very true for those that have them. I have a hard wired alarm able unit fitted with test function, I would not fly without at least a portable one.
Some of us have curious minds and lead the way with questions and theories, others are followers!
The cause of the crash can be put down due to impaired decision making.
There's a reason why the old clunkers are still being produced in their zillions compared to a very small amount of 'alternate' engines......they simply work!
From an RPT's perspective it's mostly about commercialism, time = $$$$, GA generally takes into other considerations mainly safety from a SE standpoint. I use ALL the Rwy available at the GA level, that's the free part!
Ya gotta remember cars have gears to get the full use out of their small cube high HP power plants, planes operate in 'top gear' all the time. Try getting these cars to accelerate (and last) starting in top gear! That's why we have large capacity big bore direct drive engines.
My parents went thru the war as newly weds, they where on their knees during and more so after the war! I can't imagine for one minute what it would have been like to live under those terrible conditions! We live like Kings these days!
Unless instructed otherwise at a towered drome you depart from the intersection you where cleared to line up from.
If the terrain at the dept end of the Rwy is not favourable for an off field landing then say 'require' full length not 'request'. ATC have to oblige but they don't have to expedite yr departure.
Only ever went in a drifter once many years ago, was a weird feeling sitting out there on what felt like a pole stationary above the earth blasted by gale force winds??
I don't agree. Understanding A/C handling has nothing to do with it, it's still showing off whether you know better or not! Tex J was showing off when he rolled a B707 and he knew better than most!