Luke Aikins, lead pilot in a failed attempt to swap planes mid-flight with his cousin and fellow Red Bull Air Force member Andy Farrington, knew two days before the event, which was broadcast live on Hulu, that the FAA had denied his request for an exemption for the stunt.
In a post on Instagram, he admits he received an email April 22, 2022, from the FAA that the request for an exemption was not granted. He continues that he made the “personal decision” to move forward with the plane swap, adding he regrets not telling his team and supporters about the FAA’s decision.
FAA officials are investigating the stunt.
Aikins says in his post that he is “now turning my attention to cooperatively working transparently with the regulatory authorities as we review the planning and execution.”
Aikins’ mea culpa doesn’t seem to have lost him any followers on Instagram. Comments to the side of his post offer support, such as aggie, who says, “Only those who push the envelope and break the rules go down In history,” while sketchyandylewis says, “Doing it without approval was probably the only thing that made this stunt even cooler!! Heros!!!”
No lives were lost. Those involved are financially responsible. If that is true, and it should be, let it go. Look at all of the crazy stunts that motor heads have done through history. I don’t think they can catch up with those records. The FAA is concerned of course and a reprimand would suffice. Why would the regulatory agency that does so well, want to police every fool stunt that comes along. Let the police and the courts handle that department. I’m sure the judicial system has that whipped out already.
There is so much wrong here it should make heads spin. Did Red Bull really not want to see the waiver exemption? Did all involved think no waiver was required to have an empty airplane? Do rules and laws not matter at all in this youtube society?
Aviation has always had limit pushers and it advanced the industry and took lives. However, blatant, willful violations just cannot be tolerated.
It just doesn’t get more blatant than this and heads should roll.
AOPA’s analysis online here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYE7-XSSz0I
“I have a number for you to call. Advise when ready to copy.” This wasn’t just a brain fart runway incursion or wander into Bravo (neither of which are good or safe). Intentionally defying an order/directive from the governing body, whether you agree with it or not, is inexcusable. Time to pull the ticket.
Total & utter disregard for accountability, & respect for your staff.
Reaching out to FAA, demonstrates your awareness of their pervae.
You were self centered, obviously dangerous, & NOT an aviation leader.
This worked out ok. Do you think this helped promote confidence, & support in G.A. ?
Hope your Hulu, & Red Bull $$ were worth it, you’re a $$ maverick, not a pioneer/leader.
Good summary, thank you; although, respectfully, it’s a bit late. This info has been out there for awhile. I’m sure we can all guess, but what is your official “General Aviation News opinion” on it?
Even though it probably won’t reach “aggie” and “sketchyandylewis”, or any of the other “Jugheads” out there; what we really need is for all the Big Guns…General Aviation News, AOPA, EAA, Flying Magazine, RAF…et al…to come out and unequivocally state that this was wrong.
If they have already; I haven’t seen it.
All things considered, I think was FAA approval actually required will be the point.
For many losing the plane is the issue, but then Red Bull could order a dozen new ones to replace it. Losing a plane on the used market is actually that issue, but the planes may have been ready for salvage anyway.
Personally I have a larger problem with a growing society that needs a “power” drink to get through the day, and needs to be constantly entertained.
I commented on this before the stunt and was in support of this as long as no one got hurt or worst and the airplanes didn’t get destroyed(that happened ). If I would have know that the FAA had denied the stunt I would have had a different out look on the stunt.
Pilot mantra: “Oh, Lord; don’t let me screw the pooch”
In this case, we have a limping pup that is probably “enceinte”…
There is not even “plausible deniability”.
Defying the FAA is going to cost him big. Going ahead after being told “no” is magnitudes different from never having asked in the first place. The FAA has no choice now but to rip him a new one.
I certainly object to wasting a great airplane on a stunt, especially in this market. Other than that, there wasn’t much danger in trying this demonstration at this location. If he hadn’t asked beforehand, I imagine the fines & suspensions would have been minimal.
What is stupid is that they could have relocated to the Mexican desert not far away. I’m sure permission would have been easy to obtain in Mexico, once permitting fees were paid.
There are so many pilots trying to be ambassadors for the sport and conduct themselves as professionals. This behavior does not help airport community relations or garnering interest by new responsible pilot candidates. Intentionally ignoring FAA guidance will invite additional scrutiny to the rest of our ranks.
I believe this event was a set back for the rest of the responsible professional general aviation pilots
Bud…very well written. In 1970 a U.S. Air Force F106 went into a flat spin and the pilot ejected. Afterwards the plane righted itself and landed in a cornfield. Nicknamed the “Cornfield Bomber”, nobody was injured. But it illustrates what can happen when an aircraft becomes pilotless and is in a spin. The Red Bull stunt could have resulted in a crash that killed innocent lives.
The Go Pro and Social Media have combined to replace the age-old saying “Hold my beer and watch this!” They have eclipsed the concept of common sense, which seems to be a human tradition.
The Instagram replies in support of this poor decision are sadly representative of the mentality of so many these days…”Me-first…forget you…..I’m the star of my own reality show…How many likes did I get today?” I’m not arguing the logic of the FAA denial, whether it was justified or not, but the decision to press on in the face of the denial was just plain irresponsible, setting a horrible example for all aviators, and it warrants certificate action. Just as the sign over my old USAF squadron entrance said, “There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime,” there was no justification for this stunt.
Another excellent example of how to auger an airplane. Stupid pilot tricks 666. 🙁