Gary Bipes submitted this photo and note: “Test flying my Sky Raider with the smoke system. I use it in the pattern of an airport. It makes a slow plane stand out. I start short bursts on downwind, then on base, and while on final, do short bursts, so other planes see me. We have many aerial applicators using our airport. They say it gets their attention. I get comments from other pilots, ‘is there something wrong with the engine? It is smoking very heavy.”
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Have to wonder what the environmental impact of this is. If this became more common it would surely led to more communities shuttering their local airport.
Our piston engines burn a quart of oil every 3 to 15 hours, a lot more oil than a few ounces of it dumped into the exhaust system in the pattern.!
BTW, the only aircraft lights that can be seen during the day is a landing light, and only if the a/c is heading toward me, like if I’m holding short of the runway and I’m looking for an a/c on final. !
I’d think a wigwag LED landing light, strobes, and position lights would provide plenty attention without the pollution and distracting others into thinking you have an emergency happening. Not a good idea to smoke up the place IMHO. Nice aircraft tho.
ok…something to do with all that used oil…and increase visibility !!
But, it may panic some other pilots….maybe get priority in the pattern.. [ sarc ]