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Iggo

(50,025 posts)

8. Bryant wasn't the pilot.

Reply to Firestorm49 (Reply #7)

Mon Jan 27, 2020, 03:34 PM

Jan 2020

He was a passenger.

Per huffpo article:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kobe-bryant-helicopter-crash-victims_n_5e2eeb29c5b6779e9c37a5a4

Ara Zobayan
Bryant’s private pilot Ara Zobayan was flying the helicopter when it crashed, reported multiple outlets. He was an instrument-rated pilot and was qualified to fly in fog, reported Fox 5 San Diego.

Zobayan’s friend Jared Yochim mourned the loss on Facebook, recalling him as an “incredible pilot ... and truly great man” who was “always cool, calm and collected.”

Yochim described Zobayan’s death as a tragedy for an entire community, adding: “Ara impacted so many people and only in a positive way. I’m sorry that you never got to meet him. You would’ve loved him, I promise.”

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Highlight:

helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant & 8 got special approval to fly even though the foggy weather [View all] riversedge Jan 2020 OP

It's really risky on the other side of a hill or mountrain range, with downdrafts. TheBlackAdder Jan 2020 #1

they should be more careful with someone like Kobe BRyant, not less so. demigoddess Jan 2020 #2

Why? They should be equally careful with all passengers. maxsolomon Jan 2020 #5

Really??? Why not be the same with anyone? Weird! Nt USALiberal Jan 2020 #9

What an odd comment. cwydro Jan 2020 #14

WHY? pangaia Jan 2020 #32

So what this probably means is that the pilot was not IFR rated. mnhtnbb Jan 2020 #3

The reports are that the commercial helicopter pilot was instrument rated and current VMA131Marine Jan 2020 #11

Don Lemon was interviewing a helicopter pilot from the SoCal area, and bullwinkle428 Jan 2020 #18

He's supposed to have been a highly qualified pilot and instructor nolabear Jan 2020 #20

I've been in a helicopter when everything else was grounded, it was bizarre to be inside the fog, it braddy Jan 2020 #4

helicopters IcyPeas Jan 2020 #6

I feel exactly the same. phylny Jan 2020 #12

I was privileged to ride in many while in the military MH1 Jan 2020 #15

An example of emotion overriding data... Happy Hoosier Jan 2020 #24

why? pangaia Jan 2020 #33

If true, I guess it means that Bryant was instrument rated. Firestorm49 Jan 2020 #7

Bryant wasn't the pilot. Iggo Jan 2020 #8

Special VFR doesn't mean what is being implied here VMA131Marine Jan 2020 #10

Anyone who still thinks flying cars will be a thing Ron Green Jan 2020 #13

Straight up. Iggo Jan 2020 #19

My father was instrument rated. cwydro Jan 2020 #16

So, the same issue that happened to John Kennedy, Jr.? Baitball Blogger Jan 2020 #17

Spatial disorientation, flying through fog, "Get there itis", sounds familiar Baclava Jan 2020 #21

"Get there itis" yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2020 #25

Apparently not. mnhtnbb Jan 2020 #22

It dosen't seems like they use any common sense, yortsed snacilbuper Jan 2020 #23

Why fly SVFR if you can get an IFR clearance? The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2020 #26

Aircraft may not have been equipped cos dem Jan 2020 #29

I wonder whether the flight was Part 91 or 135. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2020 #34

Aircraft WAS IFR equiped . That model helicopter must be. pangaia Jan 2020 #35

Bending the rules for celebrities in serious matters does not provide adequate safety for them. Cousin Dupree Jan 2020 #27

SVFR is part of the rules, so they weren't being "bent" cos dem Jan 2020 #30

It appears that pdxflyboy Jan 2020 #28

That is not what Special VFR means.. pangaia Jan 2020 #31