I respect his acceptance of responsibility (“the poor choice I made”) and am glad that everyone was able to walk away from this mishap. It shows how the desire to get home (“gethomeitis”) can cause even an experienced pilot to make poor choices.
6 years ago | 3
Let all of us pilots take Mike's advice and learn from his unfortunate mistake. I know it hurts your heart Mike, but DRACO can be replaced but you can not.
6 years ago | 15
I remember years back in ground school. One of our teachers the very first night told us this. Four words that are not in the pilots handbook " I THINK I CAN "
6 years ago | 8
Saw this news first in a homebuilt groupe I belong to on FB, went and searched YT for Mike's name and found his video right away. I'm glad everyone is ok, and I feel for his loss of not just a piece of property but something he put a lot of thought time and passion into. I'm glad your good too Trent, fly safe.
6 years ago | 3
Goes to show just how fleeting and temporary everything is. Glad lives are intact. Lots to be thankful for.
6 years ago (edited) | 3
Thank the good Lord that Mike is ok. It takes a real man to own his mistakes. I hope the rest of the flying cowboys will also learn from this, esp Jonas who seems to fly a bit on the edge at times.
6 years ago | 3
So glad no one was badly hurt. This just makes me think. If this can happen to seasoned pilot like Mike this can happen to anyone. And the real amazing thing is that this happened at an airport and not out at some wilderness landing spot.
6 years ago | 2
Just saw Draco at the Reno Air Races, glad no one hurt, but a damn shame about the plane
6 years ago | 3
Damn Homie!! I know life is busy!!! But you haven't had enough time to throw in a little update vlog since oshkosh??? Hows the house coming along? Anything new with the plane?? Work?? What's kicking chicken?? Interesting minds want to know!!!
6 years ago | 3
Appreciate Mike’s candid honesty about what really happened. One of the dangerous things about flying these airplanes in the back country and the type of flying portrayed in these types of blogs is that you can lull yourself into thinking you can omit fundamental airmanship and safety. Such things as ground tracking across the open Prairie at only 50 feet above the ground, is dangerous. You’re asking for problems. Short take off’s whilst, “hanging it on the prop” does not represent good airmanship decision making. It May be that in the back country flying sometimes you have to do those things but to practice doing so on a regular basis and thinking that nothing bad will come if it going to come if it is too naïve. Very glad no one was hurt. My dad, a 7,000 hr. private pilot told me one time, “Son, it doesn’t do any good to take off in bad weather if you never make it to your destination.”
6 years ago | 0
Glad you’re ok. Recently started watching your videos. Impressed with your candor and placing the blame where it belongs. This will pass, we will all be more situationally aware of our choices because of your self analysis.
6 years ago | 0
Mike, first of all I am glad you are ok. You can rebuild. I am sure it would be appreciated by those of us following you and Drako. That was an amazing aircraft. Second of all I appreciate your honesty and integrity. Shows who you are!
6 years ago | 0
Unfortunate but grateful it wasn’t a true tragedy. Planes can be replaced, bruised egos can heal. Looking forward to the next project.
6 years ago | 0
@mcbeanstinyweaponsandtanks4933
That sucks, but everyone is ok as long as you weren't physically injured. You are a good pilot, even the best at where I work make stupid decisions and mistakes, the only people that become better pilots in all honesty.
6 years ago | 0
Glad nobody is hurt. Most important thing. Build another in Draco’s memory!
6 years ago | 0
OMG. When I scrolled to this image my heart just stopped ... So glad Mike is ok.
6 years ago | 0
Trent Palmer
I’m sure most have heard but my good friend Mike had a rough morning. The wind was no joke, I almost wrecked my plane just trying to taxi to my hangar. Mike just had a bad gust at an even worse time. Go show Mike some love on his channel if you haven’t already.
6 years ago | [YT] | 364