The two pilots who attempted to swap planes on live TV have had their pilot certificates revoked by the FAA.
Luke Aikins and Andy Farrington, cousins, pilots, skydivers, and members of the Red Bull Air Force, attempted to swap Cessna 182s on April 24, 2022, over the desert outside Phoenix, Arizona. The stunt was aired live on Hulu.
The two pilots flew their planes to 12,000 feet, then put the planes in a nosedive. They then jumped out of their planes, attempting to skydive into the other plane and landing it safely.
Aikins successfully completed the swap, but Farrington did not as the plane he attempted to get into spiraled out of control and crashed in the desert.
Farrington deployed his parachute and both pilots landed safely.
The FAA revoked both pilots’ certificates on May 12, 2022. They can reapply for their certificates in one year, in May 2023.
In documents sent to the pilots, the FAA said both pilots “were careless and reckless as to endanger the life and property of another.”
FAA officials determined Aikins and Farrington violated three flight regulations, including taking off their seatbelts and unnecessarily leaving the aircraft.
FAA officials also noted that Aikens, the lead pilot of the stunt, had requested an exemption from the FAA, but it was denied by FAA officials.
Aikins posted on Instagram on April 29 he knew the request was denied but “made the personal decision” to go on with the stunt without telling the others involved that the FAA had denied the exemption.
“Your egregious and intentional actions indicate that you presently lack the degree of care, judgment, and responsibility required of a certificate holder,” the FAA told the pilots in the documents revoking their certificates. “Thus, your actions as described above clearly reflect a lack of qualifications necessary for airman certification.”
Aikins also has been ordered to pay a $4,932 fine, according to FAA officials.
They were over the desert, (big sky-little airplane) I liked the comment about destroying a 182 somebody could have fixed up. I thought of that first as I read the story. That said I sure wouldn’t try that stunt. If they wanted the rush that changing planes in midair would bring why no have a safety pilot in the right seat who could take over when the stunt failed?
If they had been ‘successful’, would we be having this discussion?
Yes
Good grief, this was a staged controlled production having nothing to do with GA in general.
Where was/is the outcry when FAA/NTSB intentionally crashes planes? Or the insurance institute crashes new cars, Because those are of a higher calling?
Or law enforcement to revoke licenses in Bullitt, Gone in 60 seconds, Dukes of Hazard, Evel Knievel and thousand of others? All controlled events for entertainment purpose.
I suppose if the planes had been jettisoned strapped to a pallet as cargo from a C-130 at altitude it would have been OK?
Business wise, the planes were probably on their last leg, uninsured hulls, and a ton of liability insurance on the project.
Worst case is the loss of an old airplane someone may have been able to purchase in lieu of a new one they can’t afford.
I concur with Scott. This was a well-planned event. They tested the dive will over 100 times successfully. They completed the plane swap successfully with a safety pilot on board before the failed event.
I would not do it, but there are many things that I would do that someone else would not. I fly Experimentals and have raced at Reno. Many would say that those are entirely outside their risk envelope.
Let us just not be so judgemental.
The list is long:
Did the FAA/NTSB have permission to crash the aircraft you mentioned?
Is the FAA involved in the operation or crashing of cars? (insurance companies, Bullitt, Gone in 60 Seconds, etc)
Did Evel Knievel require the FAA to jump his motorcycles over whatever? I recall that there was some oversight on this canyon jump.
I missed the part about the 182’s being “controlled” (at all times) so this event was not “controlled”.
With your skills of analysis, I am guessing you could rationalize anything.
We have two less a-hole pilots. The youngsters are running out of hero’s.
Long past time for Red Bull***t to go away.
That is an interesting figure for a fine…..Chump change to them I would expect, but that is beside the point. I would hope the Red Bull Team removes them from the team as that sort of stunt does not deserve the backing of Red Bull or the aviation industry as a whole. And I don’t think that a 1 year suspension is sufficient. Life time (although that may be short based upon their thought process)…..Carelessness should not be rewarded…..
It is not a suspension. The certificates are revoked. They no longer hold any pilot certifications.
In 1 year they can apply as a student pilot and start all over again.
And, whoever owned the crashed 182, I hope the insurance company doesn’t pay .
Good. They’ll probably laugh off the fine, though.
Why “Good”?
It is interesting number for a fine though
Why not? They destroyed a perfectly good airplane for clicks.
2 less assholes in the air to worry about wrecking more.
GOOD
We’re the airplanes stolen? Did they not belong to them? Do you just love 182s that much?