A Complete Waste of Space

Lost a big name machine and pilot restorer.
Looks like catastrophic failure. Lots of big name experts
were watching him do barrel rolls and loops when suddenly
Bob Odegaard was seen trying to get out.

Sad loss of a fine rare plane and a great guy.

Age and/or skill seem to have played no role in this one.

HH

Interesting...Thanx

Here's a link to some more info/history of this type aircraft.
It's a good read.
http://www.air-and-space.com/Goodyear%20F2G.htm

Catastrophic failures (or human failures of some sort...)are a big risk you take with these old birds, as they are considered experimental and not held to the same standards as modern aircraft; certainly not aircraft that carry passengers. I did read a comment by one of the pilot's acquantances that "he must have been a great pilot... if you survive flying after doing it for decades.. you must be good". Or you've been living on borrowed time. Not saying the guy had skills or not, or was professional in every aspect of his approach to flying or not, but there a many, many, 'enthusiast' pilots who dabble in aerobatics or formation or instrument flying, who really aren't that 'safe' by modern standards, and they don't know it.

Ever so true. I lived, flew, hung around with some "military trained" pilots.
Their opinions of "civilian trained" pilots....wasn't much.
I learned from them, how to really fly. Checklists, Maintenance, Responsibility and
NO EXCUSES.

Can't beat military flight training as the foundation for a professional pilot career.