Post by oj on Oct 4, 2016 19:32:20 GMT 12
So sad to see Nigel passed away. Aside from all his flying and engineering accomplishments he was also a good guitarist and took part in our NZAIL social activities with great popularity.
During the RNZAF test flying of the CT4 there was much interest from the NZAIL staff throughout.
The test aircraft was fitted with a small deployable tail parachute in case it was needed to stabilise an unsafe situation.
It was not required.
On the biggest day of the spin tests the staff were all allowed to watch ( If I recall correctly it was probably around lunch time and beyond).
We all stood outside the main hangar doors facing East and Nigel flew across the Waikato river and climbed to a great height above what seemed to us to be above the area defined by (SH21) Airport and Pencarrow roads.
We had seen short bursts of brief spins on previous days, but this was to be the big one.
As he began the spin, we all counted in unison one, two, three, ......
I am certain we counted 17 turns and I have an inkling it might have been as many as 23 turns before he pulled out.
As the counting got above 10 turns or so some people stopped counting and entered a consternation phase; was he able to pull out?
It was a huge relief to all to see a successful recovery and a big cheer went up and some people took their hearts back down their throats.
I would really like anyone else who saw this event to write in, as my version may need corroborating as to the total count of continuous spin turns.
During the RNZAF test flying of the CT4 there was much interest from the NZAIL staff throughout.
The test aircraft was fitted with a small deployable tail parachute in case it was needed to stabilise an unsafe situation.
It was not required.
On the biggest day of the spin tests the staff were all allowed to watch ( If I recall correctly it was probably around lunch time and beyond).
We all stood outside the main hangar doors facing East and Nigel flew across the Waikato river and climbed to a great height above what seemed to us to be above the area defined by (SH21) Airport and Pencarrow roads.
We had seen short bursts of brief spins on previous days, but this was to be the big one.
As he began the spin, we all counted in unison one, two, three, ......
I am certain we counted 17 turns and I have an inkling it might have been as many as 23 turns before he pulled out.
As the counting got above 10 turns or so some people stopped counting and entered a consternation phase; was he able to pull out?
It was a huge relief to all to see a successful recovery and a big cheer went up and some people took their hearts back down their throats.
I would really like anyone else who saw this event to write in, as my version may need corroborating as to the total count of continuous spin turns.
must be getting a bit doddery in my old age!
