StuBob wrote:Is a GoPro worse than a 7-year-old? I’ve flown with both and IME the 7-year-old is a much bigger distraction. I’ve never had a GoPro cry on the intercom or push on the controls!

Haha ohh StuBob… You’re going to love my next rant thread then:

“Leave Your Kids At Home: They’ll Distract You and You’ll ALL Die.”

I am a little bit serious. The only thing more dangerous than hosting a talk show in your cockpit is a 7 year old who talks incessantly. But it sure is great and way better than talking to a camera.

I’m glad we’re finally identifying all these hazards. The next thing I will add is dealing with reading glasses on the tip of my nose to see my iPad in the cockpit. It’s probably going to kill me one day. Or fiddling with cords/cables.

I'm just joking, Mr. FAA Cyberintelligence Collection Officer.

But anyway, this thread could go on for months or years hating on YouTubers, probably. It’s funny to hear the opinions. I’ll be the first to admit I’m jealous of the successful ones and what could have been my prime channel growth years in my chosen subject matter were dominated by sleep deprivation from having young kids. I became totally useless, unable to pile on any more in life. That’s my own issue though. Nothing makes me happier than people still telling me they appreciate those videos years later.

But alas…it always blows me away how many people apparently have a TV show host living inside them just waiting to get in front of a camera. It’s a social phenomenon that doesn’t fail to entertain. At the same time I think this era of self-produced video content is amazing and the most exciting thing to happen in a long time. More power to them, even the talking heads and done-it-one-time-now-I’m-gonna-make-an-instructional-video people. It’s a feather in the cap for the human spirit that so many of us have this instinct to teach, with mere LIKES as compensation.

Soooooo if you cannot hold a conversation while flying an airplane be it cross country or in the pattern how does anybody get flight instruction?? Every instructor I've have was fully capable of demonstrating proper landing and takeoff procedures and every other phase of flight while explaining it at the same time. Doing stupid stuff as a pilot has more to do with not knowing what you don't know then talking while flying. That by golly is what I think.
DENNY

DENNY wrote:Soooooo if you cannot hold a conversation while flying an airplane be it cross country or in the pattern how does anybody get flight instruction?? Every instructor I've have was fully capable of demonstrating proper landing and takeoff procedures and every other phase of flight while explaining it at the same time. Doing stupid stuff as a pilot has more to do with not knowing what you don't know then talking while flying. That by golly is what I think.
DENNY

It's not that simple, Denny. You're missing the point probably because you haven't gone out and set up your camera in your plane and then tried to host a show looking into the camera, thinking about something besides looking out the window for traffic. CFI in the right/rear seat? He's definitely looking for traffic. And prob slapping you in the back of your head when you fuck with your camera and talk about stuff in your on-air personality voice.

And the original point of the thread was to "stay frosty" because there are a lot more people out there not paying attention and looking outside now, attending to non-piloting things. Used to just be piss bottle management and intercom chit-chat was the worst thing. Now, people are basically video chatting and texting pics they just took.

I still have vivid memories of a twin flying probably 50 feet in front of me about 30 years ago----before camera distractions. I wasn't more than a few miles from home airport and looked down at my cousin's farm place for just a moment to see what he was doing. When I looked ahead, the twin flew from right to left and I could see he was looking at the instrument panel. It was a very nice day and sun wasn't a factor.

StuBob wrote:I’m with DreadPilotWill: YouTubers probably do more good than harm in promoting aviation to young people, women, BIPoCs, whoever. We say (“we”) we want to grow aviation, in part by growing the number of people from non-traditional pilot groups. Then we denigrate the media that attract them.

As to the distraction factor, I don’t get it. If you set up a camera before you strap in, where’s the distraction? Is a GoPro worse than a 7-year-old? I’ve flown with both and IME the 7-year-old is a much bigger distraction. I’ve never had a GoPro cry on the intercom or push on the controls!

Thirdly, I agree that most YT aviation content is junk. Zane’s are wonderful: well-shot and well-narrated mini documentaries that actually tell a story. But the ones I really hate are the guys who pimp their wives for clicks. How many thumbnails are there with a shot pointing into the cabin from the right-sided A-pillar, copilot’s cleavage the obvious subject? “Look at me” is bad enough. “Look at these” is crass.

That obvious pandering to the lonely old dudes aside, I think there are a lot of people who are flying today who wouldn’t be without the likes of Matt Guthmiller, Stevie Triesenberg, MojoGrip or (dare I say it) Trent Palmer.

I agree, if it makes what he do look cool and fun to more people, that’s a win


Personally if I’m going to watch a video that should just be 5min but was stretched longer to try to make YouTube money, I rather have a beautiful woman talking vs a dude


Thing with the camera, at least ones in the cabin is people feeling the need to mess with them, or are looking at them, or act a little different when they know it’s rolling

Lots of that can be mitigated with experience of course



Only name in aviation that really inspired me to get into the industry, be cool if he had YouTube videos of all the crazy adventures


http://claytor.com/

StuBob wrote:...the ones I really hate are the guys who pimp their wives for clicks. How many thumbnails are there with a shot pointing into the cabin from the right-sided A-pillar, copilot’s cleavage the obvious subject...

That does seem to be a thing...clickbait. But there is one that I kinda enjoy scrubbing through despite it having all the aforementioned things. She seems to be a pretty experienced stick in a variety of aircraft.

Flying youtubers are narcissistic and egotistical hazards... I can't imagine what it must be like to spend time with someone so full of themselves that they aren't horrified by sitting at an editing suite hour after hour with only the droning of their own voice and their own face staring back at them for company...

rw2 wrote:Flying youtubers are narcissistic and egotistical hazards... I can't imagine what it must be like to spend time with someone so full of themselves that they aren't horrified by sitting at an editing suite hour after hour with only the droning of their own voice and their own face staring back at them for company...

And in full honesty…you’re my favorite one.

DENNY wrote:Soooooo if you cannot hold a conversation while flying an airplane be it cross country or in the pattern how does anybody get flight instruction?? Every instructor I've have was fully capable of demonstrating proper landing and takeoff procedures and every other phase of flight while explaining it at the same time. Doing stupid stuff as a pilot has more to do with not knowing what you don't know then talking while flying. That by golly is what I think.
DENNY

Well it is the most failed check ride

Zzz wrote:

StuBob wrote:...the ones I really hate are the guys who pimp their wives for clicks. How many thumbnails are there with a shot pointing into the cabin from the right-sided A-pillar, copilot’s cleavage the obvious subject...

That does seem to be a thing...clickbait. But there is one that I kinda enjoy scrubbing through despite it having all the aforementioned things. She seems to be a pretty experienced stick in a variety of aircraft.

I didn’t think I’d ever actually be interested in a gyrocopter video, if I had a YouTube account I’d “like and subscribe”!

One early YouTuber to cash in on the Aviation and Pretty Girls genre was “Gulfstream Girl,” later rebranded “Global Girl.” It turns out she was involved with Jeffrey Epstein, in a relationship that apparently did have her piloting a jet, but lots of other, heinous things. She hasn’t been seen much lately.

You Tube, otherwise referred to as "Internet Masturbation" by me, at least...... There is indeed some useful and even enjoyable stuff there, but all too often, these "backcountry adventures" start with some dude hand holding his Go Pro in front of his mug, babbling about something or other, with an airplane as background.

And, then there's good ole Dan Gryder.......

Not a You Tube fan or "content provider", thank you VERY much.

MTV

Dan....

Oh boy..

MW

100% agree with you Mike.

low rider wrote:It’s nauseating to watch people talk to themselves on you tube. These guys seem to never go Anywhere without a clown posse / professional photographer to document the action.

Clown posse. hahahaha OMG

I work in Electric Utility Infrastructure, this came across in the security logs.

On XXXXX at approximately XXXX hrs., a local landowner reported observing a low flying helicopter near a wind farm. The helicopter flew in from the West and was described as a dark colored Blackhawk style helicopter occupied by three individuals.
The landowner then stated the helicopter landed near the base of a wind turbine and the three individuals, wearing civilian clothes, exited, and walked around the base of the turbine, took photos, and dropped a bag at the base of the tower. The individuals then departed flying Southeast. A tail number was not obtained; however, a friend of the landowner took a video of the aircraft and reported it to employees.
Employees contacted the local Sheriff’s department who responded to the site. Deputies found an individual onsite, who claimed that they were following online instructions from a “YouTuber” who had given geo-coordinates to pick up a backpack full of merchandise (hats, t-shirts, and stickers) which was dropped off by helicopter.
Security was able to conduct open-source research to validate the individual’s claims and determined that a YouTube content creator called “HeavyDSparks” was conducting merchandise drops at random locations throughout the US using his UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter for his online followers to find. No malicious intent was discovered, and no damage occurred to any wind assets. The local Sheriff’s department filed a report and Security also made reports to the State Fusion Center and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for possible aircraft operation violations.

So - Agreed with Z that it's not good idea to play TV Host while in the pattern.
But - I'd say it's an even worse idea to fly your personal Blackhawk around dropping what looks like satchel charges at the base of public infrastructure.
Clown Posse indeed, sigh.

DreadPirateWill wrote:I work in Electric Utility Infrastructure, this came across in the security logs.

On XXXXX at approximately XXXX hrs., a local landowner reported observing a low flying helicopter near a wind farm. The helicopter flew in from the West and was described as a dark colored Blackhawk style helicopter occupied by three individuals.
The landowner then stated the helicopter landed near the base of a wind turbine and the three individuals, wearing civilian clothes, exited, and walked around the base of the turbine, took photos, and dropped a bag at the base of the tower. The individuals then departed flying Southeast. A tail number was not obtained; however, a friend of the landowner took a video of the aircraft and reported it to employees.
Employees contacted the local Sheriff’s department who responded to the site. Deputies found an individual onsite, who claimed that they were following online instructions from a “YouTuber” who had given geo-coordinates to pick up a backpack full of merchandise (hats, t-shirts, and stickers) which was dropped off by helicopter.
Security was able to conduct open-source research to validate the individual’s claims and determined that a YouTube content creator called “HeavyDSparks” was conducting merchandise drops at random locations throughout the US using his UH-60A Blackhawk helicopter for his online followers to find. No malicious intent was discovered, and no damage occurred to any wind assets. The local Sheriff’s department filed a report and Security also made reports to the State Fusion Center and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for possible aircraft operation violations.

So - Agreed with Z that it's not good idea to play TV Host while in the pattern.
But - I'd say it's an even worse idea to fly your personal Blackhawk around dropping what looks like satchel charges at the base of public infrastructure.
Clown Posse indeed, sigh.

Wait, did they land on public or private land?

If folks want to land on and enjoy public land they pay taxes on to play helicopter scavenger hunt, good for them! I’d be game to do the same


The “looks suspicious” thing I just laugh and ask “is that a felony or misdemeanor to look suspicious, are you detaining me or am I free to go” if they are detaining me “articulate the crime you reasonably suspect me of committing”

And always film government

Plus

Why did the second helicopter even wait around for the donut shop to arrive?
Why did they talk to police

Seems their biggest issue wasn’t YouTube related, it’s not knowing their rights and exercising them

Also there always is the big make sure you know who owns the land thing, lots of hunting and hiking apps that make finding out who that is easy

But if it was NOT prohibited it WAS legal

Compare

Private


Public



“ CFR TITLE 36 Sec. 261.13 Motor vehicle use.

After National Forest System roads, National Forest System trails,
and areas on National Forest System lands have been designated pursuant
to 36 CFR 212.51 on an administrative unit or a Ranger District of the
National Forest System, and these designations have been identified on a
motor vehicle use map, it is prohibited to possess or operate a motor
vehicle on National Forest System lands in that administrative unit or
Ranger District other than in accordance with those designations,
provided that the following vehicles and uses are exempted from this
prohibition:
(a) Aircraft;
(b) Watercraft;
(c) Over-snow vehicles;
(d) Limited administrative use by the Forest Service;
(e) Use of any fire, military, emergency, or law enforcement vehicle
for emergency purposes;
(f) Authorized use of any combat or combat support vehicle for
national defense purposes;
(g) Law enforcement response to violations of law, including
pursuit;
(h) Motor vehicle use that is specifically authorized under a
written authorization issued under Federal law or regulations; and
(i) Use of a road or trail that is authorized by a legally
documented right-of-way held by a State, county, or other local public
road authority.”

You have a lot of time on your hands

NineThreeKilo wrote:But if it was NOT prohibited it WAS legal

On this we agree, and I actually remarked to a buddy at work as much - they probably didn't actually break any regs.
Main difference is when I land in "atypical" places I tend to pick up garbage and take it with me rather than drop it off. As someone who deals with public infrastructure vandalism and hardening for attackshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metcalf_sniper_attack - if you don't agree that dropping a random backpack at the base of an electric generator is suspicious/ill advised I'm not sure what to tell you. I hope neighboring landowners keep making calls like this.

To be clear, I'm very much not arguing this means we need more regulation and I'll join a fight where appropriate to preserve access to aviation and the places we enjoy it.
In this case it sounds as though no one was detained nor charged with anything(yet) so I can't quite point on the teddy bear where tyranny hurt me. I also paid taxes on the tea I'm drinking and it's in my mug instead of the harbor. I wouldn't be sad if the Sherriff cited them for littering.
Sorry for going full frosty - grumpy due to hard overcast here.

DreadPirateWill wrote:Sorry for going full frosty - grumpy due to hard overcast here.

Don’t apologize. 93K feeds on argument. Prepare for more memes and encouragement to sue someone.

If you see something, say something.

flyingjack wrote:If you see something, say something.

Mantra of the modern Karen!