Wed May 16, 2012 8:16 pm
#1066039
After a pleasant day flying returned to base. On flaring the aircraft to land spotted two adults with dogs standing in the long grass at the side of the runway. The wing tips are not far from the edge of the runway. The involuntary twitch on the stick to avoid them resulted in a one wheel touch down before applying power to regain control for a go around. Second time they had cleared off so an uneventful landing.
The runway is on an old RAF base and there are signs warning of an active runway but because it is only used infrequently I presume the dog walkers ignored the notices.
I did not see them until almost too late, they must have seen me coming and assumed that they would be O.K. if they were just of the runway.
Apart from the successful outcome, I could have completely lost control and crashed or could have hit them with possible fatal results.
Either way I could have had months of anguish and legal proceedings because warnings were ignored by the walkers.
Although authorised to use the runway I am not the owner and do not think it likely that security fencing could be installed.
Other than being more aware in future of possible pedestrians on or near runway not sure if there is anything else that could be done.
Perhaps I should consider fitting a loud horn or Public Address system to the plane so that I could shout at them.
The runway is on an old RAF base and there are signs warning of an active runway but because it is only used infrequently I presume the dog walkers ignored the notices.
I did not see them until almost too late, they must have seen me coming and assumed that they would be O.K. if they were just of the runway.
Apart from the successful outcome, I could have completely lost control and crashed or could have hit them with possible fatal results.
Either way I could have had months of anguish and legal proceedings because warnings were ignored by the walkers.
Although authorised to use the runway I am not the owner and do not think it likely that security fencing could be installed.
Other than being more aware in future of possible pedestrians on or near runway not sure if there is anything else that could be done.
Perhaps I should consider fitting a loud horn or Public Address system to the plane so that I could shout at them.