Re: Tom Knauff's newsletter

On Jun 29, 9:32=A0pm, pik20pi...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
> Has anyone read this? What is your opinion? Tom Knauff certainly
> doesn't provide any facts to sup****t his conclusions. The following
> statement in particular should anger each glider pilot, CFIG and
> examiner: "The point of this is the demonstrable fact that most glider
> pilots do not have the fundamental knowledge to fly safely. (Perhaps
> with the exception of very controlled cir***stances.)"
>
> When I questioned him on this he simply offered the following:=93Oh, by
> the way, the test results demonstrate the point.=94
>
> Really? What tests? Where=92s the empirical data? =A0Has he just perused
> NTSB re****ts or is it firsthand knowledge? Does he speak of transition
> pilots or =93from scratch=94 students. Why does he only mention glider
> pilots and not general aviation? What has he done to change the FAA
> PTS?
>
> I personally know two CFIG=92s who have crashed with passengers on
> board. One passenger died and the other passenger will never be the
> same. One CFIG continues to fly and the other has withdrawn from the
> glider community and, quite possibly, aviation altogether. Are they to
> be included in Tom=92s categorical statements? I think not.
>
> It is not just glider pilots. It isn=92t just the low time pilot.
> Everyone makes mistakes. For Tom to make such broad statements just to
> sell some books is reckless and doesn=92t provide any real help to our
> small community.
>
> Is there a gap in training and real flying? You bet. So why isn=92t he
> tapping on the shoulder of every CFIG, DPE, and the FAA?
>
> His offhand comments smack in the same style as John Scherer=92s
> commercials for the Video Professor; =93Buy my product.=94
>
> Warren
>
> The complete newsletter:
> Several of you have asked for answers to the questions, and want more
> questions.
> At the end of most chapters of the first training manual, "Glider
> Basics From First Flight To Solo," there are im****tant end of chapter
> questions.
> Also, "The Bronze Badge Book" has nearly 300 im****tant questions and
> answers.
> You can order these and other books from our web site listed below.
> The point of this is the demonstrable fact that most glider pilots do
> not have the fundamental knowledge to fly safely. (Perhaps with the
> exception of very controlled cir***stances.)
> I recently had a person contact me about flight training. He explained
> that he did not need any ground school because he was going to take
> the FAA written test before arriving at our school. I expect him to go
> elsewhere for his training.
> Everyone gets a score on the FAA test in the high 90s because the
> questions and answers are available to them. Unfortunately, the FAA
> written test does not ask questions like, "Why does an aircraft have a
> rudder?" =A0Or, "What color field is generally best for an off field
> landing?" =A0Or, "At what altitude can you see cow's legs?"
> Thomas Knauff
> Knauff & Grove Soaring Supplies
> Ridge Soaring Glider****t
> 3523 S Eagle Valley Rd
> Julian, Pa 16844
>
> Phone 814 355 2483
> tkna...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 think Tom should be commended for speaking out about this subject.
It's certainly not the first time he's raised these points.  After
reading similar comments from him years ago I traveled to Ridge
Soaring to be trained by him and learned first hand some of the
deficiencies embedded in my knowlege, technique, judgment, and prior
training. I have continued to try and meet the high bar he set for me
during those lessons. I've also had the op****tunity to fly at many
locations, both clubs and commercial, and have observed activities
that seem to be totally in line with what Tom says. It seems to be
quite a stretch to think that his comments are merely a marketing plan
for his books!  As for the scientific basis of his comments or of any
studies related to glider safety, you don't need to be in the s****t
very long to know that they are certainly directionaly correct....and
that we should all strive to be better, safer pilots.