Every Pilots Worst Nightmare

[@danieloltmans475]

Hal seems like the kind of person you want to hang out with, years of experience, positive attitude and, by appearances (on this video at least), a humble guy. Glad he made it out mostly unscathed.

[@sniper1967]

My first and fastest decision to donate to a cause!! Hal is the nicest person in the STOL community ❤❤

[@GaryLaaks1]

Years of wisdom and expertise in this guy. Very likeable fella.

[@tommynikon2283]

I met Hal at Reno a few years ago, with the Cowboys. He was gracious with his time and was a thrill for my dad and I. GLAD he’s safe.

[@CaioPeixoto1]

Mechanics with 50+ years of experience are definitely on a different level!

[@chrispankey807]

I love that he's still rocking the shoes and jumper. What an awesome dude

[@DaveBartholomew-uf6sm]

Yeah! I couldn't believe that. What a guy!!

[@daedaluscan]

It’s totally appropriate to help Hal. He’s a legend.

[@madeljacky]

Sad to see an aeroplane end up like that, from what I see in the interview Hal seems to be the most honest, genuine man I've seen in a long long time, so sad to see his aeroplane destroyed

[@stevenmichaud3715]

Hal’s a legend. Jonas, thanks for posting this video. Just donated. Steve

[@robstanton9215]

Good on you Jonas for helping Hal. Hal, bro, I’m so glad you’re alive. I just lost two close relatives within a week and life is precious!!!

[@robertlafnear7034]

Had a Great talk with Hal at Reno 2019... DARN IT !....... Count me IN Hal ! SO Glad your O.K.

[@jan3195]

So sorry to hear this about Hal but SO glad he is OK. Thanks to you and Trent for helping out this very deserving man. Just donated.

[@OzFPVflyer]

What a nice man, his passion for aviation and the way he describes the flight and fire is to be admired. He's in for a nice surprise.

[@johnslugger]

*You should always mix ZINC BORATE powder in your resin to make it flame resistant.*

[@JonasMarcinko]

I have never heard of this! Thanks for sharing this information.

[@fudogwhisperer3590]

Guy's like Hal is what makes the aviation community so awesome! Glad you made it out OK Hal! I chatted with you for a little while several years ago at Sun and Fun in Lakeland.

[@TheHamNinja]

It would be good to get an update when they think they have a cause. Thanks for this Jonas.

[@JonasMarcinko]

I’ll do my best!

[@jemo_hack]

Sorry for Hal’s loss. Let look at the temperature range for a Rotax turbo engine, such as the Rotax 912 or 914 series, typically operates within the following ranges: 1. Oil Temperature: • Normal operating range: 80°C to 120°C (176°F to 248°F) • Maximum: Up to 140°C (284°F) for short durations. 2. Cylinder Head Temperature (CHT): • Normal operating range: 150°C to 200°C (302°F to 392°F) • Maximum: Up to 225°C (437°F) for short durations. 3. Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT): • Normal operating range: 600°C to 750°C (1112°F to 1382°F) • Maximum: 800°C (1472°F) is generally considered the limit for short durations. The Epoxt resin will have a FLASH POINT: ≥ 200ºF (FOR PRODUCT OR LOWEST FLASH POINT INGREDIENT) * this is from Aeropoxy. If you get resin on or near the turbo or the exhaust, it will gum up, it will run, and if it hits any of these surfaces, it will catch on fire. If you are using any sort of polyester/vinylester resin, then it will catch up with you firewall forward. Ask the Alaskan folks who bought CF parts on their airplanes, speacially belly pods that had similar issues with temperature… even some wing parts… be careful.

[@LoopyAg02]

Jonas, thanks for posting this update. Hal engine fire was the topic of many discussions at Lonestar STOL. Thankful he’s OK. Excited to see the new one. From the ashes rises the “Bandlands Phoenix”!!

[@honeyforce996]

Hope Hal gets a lot of support; he seems like the kind of guy who actually deserves it, unlike that other guy who crashed his plane & got like six figures from donations and bought a car or something

[@DunnDifferent]

What guy? I need to see these videos.

[@highmarkrich]

@@DunnDifferent Nikk Audenried . Trent Palmers friend that wrecked his Kitfox.

[@cluelessbeekeeping1322]

@@highmarkrich Did he really do that? That's terrible!!!

[@DunnDifferent]

@@highmarkrich oh yeah I remember that. He bought a car instead of a plane? I mean he did almost die and took over a year to recover.

[@honeyforce996]

​@@DunnDifferent either car or house or hangar or something.

[@deansiracusa3966]

Good job getting it on the ground, Hal! So glad to hear that you’re safe!

[@bomby_]

I'm really glad Hal is okay! An inflight fire is one of my biggest fears when I fly and I know how hard that situation is to deal with. Let's get Hal back in the air!

[@nobuddy1364]

Hal is famous for wearing work coveralls. I expect that pair is somewhat fire resistant for welding and just regular shop work. Good choice it seems.

[@mikeymikeymotorbikey]

Hey Mike and Mark Patey, who better to donate a helping hand for a very respected friend to aviation. Hals the man.

[@theresacaron4238]

I think they're too busy with their airpark for the rich and famous to notice, just saying. Years ago, they would have jumped right in as members of the Flying Cowboys and helped, but sadly not now.

[@ginacalabrese3869]

Try reaching out to the guys building the DarkAero carbon fiber plane. I remember they had a video a while back about fire proofing. I know they used titanium for the actual firewall. If the cause of the fire was from something breaking to or from the turbocharger, Rotax needs to, at the very least, provide him with a new engine. I've seen in plane build videos of people using 915s that their engine comes essentially fully assembled in the crate so it could have been assembled improperly.

[@RevUnstableBoy]

Hal is a national treasure. glad he is healthy and look forward to seeing him back in the air.

[@ChrisB257]

Dear Hal - one of the really super fliers, one of a kind person, and -- 71? No way! Love you man. So very glad and relieved he is OK. Glad you made the flight Jonas and it's to be hoped a ''go-fund-me" will achieve enough to help.

[@DaveBartholomew-uf6sm]

I am so glad you flew over for this interview. Thank you. Hal is such an amazing person. I will head over to make my donation. Thank you Jonas.

[@grapxartz]

Just glad Hal is safe!

[@dgallant0x007]

Hal is a national treasure and I am so glad he is OK. Thanks for this interview with him.

[@waynegilchrist3535]

Hal always has such a great attitude no matter what the heck has just happened! Always watching from North Alabama!

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

That was a bad fire but you survived it Hal & I know how you feel. I spent 13 years building a streamliner to go 500 mph only to have a manufacturing blemish in a braided fuel line fail at Speed Week this year that resulted in a fuel vapor explosion & fire. Quitting is not an option, I'll be back next year, I'm only 73.

[@JonasMarcinko]

Wow 😮

[@sledawgpilot]

I second that

[@mattkusiak2675]

I’ve always enjoyed seeing Hal in your vids and the other guys videos, so glad he survived this incident and is still smiling!!!

[@The762nato]

Sorry for your loss . Loved watching you flying in other video's . Hope your back in the air soon .

[@petercrowhurst]

100 in for Hal , Best of luck from Australia

[@TeemarkConvair]

he's healthy, and smiling, a little wrenching and , well,, ?springtime? ..."game ON!"

[@jhaedtler]

Thank God Hal is OK!

[@SkidzFPV]

Always good to know a firewall forward mechanic. I’m learning to be one, I’ve been working for a company that rebuilds lycoming and continental aircraft engines for two years. I’m basically inspecting the entire bottom end, and overhauling rods, counterweights and crankshafts, etc. but still have loads to learn. Knowing people that can understand and diagnose engines is definitely a good thing.

[@L2FlyMN]

What a treasure of knowledge Hal is! A great guy, greatly admired in the aviation community for sure! We are all so relieved he's ok!

[@opictia]

Glad your ok Hal!

[@Tadrjbs]

Thank you JM for this, we all love Hal, needed the interview for some closure what happened. Lawn Mower 5 next.

[@warrenlancaster286]

Wow that must have been some experience - I always smile when I see Hal on a STOL video . All the best Hal

[@oneninerniner3427]

Such a bummer! Glad he is ok as well. He will be back in the air👍

[@SDB362]

You’re a great friend Jonas! The world needs more people like you sir!

[@JonasMarcinko]

That’s so kind of you :) And the world needs more people like yourself!

[@johnfife3062]

Hal is definitely one of the good guys! Super informative vid. Lots of stuff to remember and put to good use.

[@jonaramaa]

Wow happy he’s okay. Crazy story

[@jimcripps3612]

Scary stuff! Having once had a suspected fire in a 152 I understand the urge to get on the ground ASAP. My incident turned out to be only over filling of the oil on the engine/exhaust but the fear was real. Regards, Jim the Brit

[@wallyfirkins1664]

WOW! What a lucky man. Hal is a genuine piece of work. I am 78 and I can't imagine doing what he does but I am a huge fan. Good luck Hal. Thanks Jonas and Trent and all.

[@GyrocopterGirl]

Pleasure to help you. And speedy recovery and build. Greetings from Switzerland Cornelia & Christophe

[@RWBHere]

He was very unlucky to have his new plane burn up like that. But he was very lucky to be able to reach the ground before the airframe collapsed or the fire and smoke overcame him. We're all looking forward to seeing Hal flying another aeroplane in the Spring. Thanks for highlighting his story, Jonas.

[@terryhorlick9707]

If Hal had not acted immediately with the course of action he chose he certainly would not be telling the tale. I remember my CFI telling me what to do when smoke occurs in the cockpit. It is amazing how quickly he embarked on the only course of action which could save him. I am exactly his age and am sure if I had been the pilot I would have been barbecued! This man’s reflexes are amazing!

[@SmittySmithsonite]

Glad Hal is ok, above all else! What an experience!! I've seen him in several aviation videos over the years, and he's always seemed like a greatest guy - I have no doubt that's true! Great thing you guys are doing for him, Jonas. 👍👍

[@danielprinsloo2917]

You are a good man Jonas - may God keep shinning His face on you

[@Adventure_Mike]

Couldnt have happened to a better guy. Sorry to hear that Hal. Cant wait to see the next build!

[@workinonitsteve]

So glad that Hal is ok.

[@portnuefflyer]

Good on the NSTB for letting him move it, someone there had some common sense. When they show up, it may take them a while to realize Hal isn't some random kitplane guy, but has worked around high pressure fuel and oil systems on heavy equipment for decades. Kind of like when the plumbing inspector showed up at Mike Patey's new home build, he probably ended up getting schooled! So, how does the resin in fiberglass burn compared to the resin used in carbon fiber work?

[@superbill9066]

I was wondering the same thing!

[@StuTheFarmer]

Hal is an aviation legend!

[@timlahr6572]

Sorry Hal !!! Hopefully you will be up and flying again soon !!!

[@tom58c]

Glad he is ok. I unfortunately know all too well losing something you put your soul into only for fire to take it away. I was into rock crawling and built my own. Took 7 years, had it 3 weeks, used it twice. I never really recovered mentally and didn't have the funding to try again. That one weekend in competition with it was amazing. I'm Glad Hal will bounce back!

[@mkrawlliimas6904]

I met Hal in 2019. He hasn’t changed one bit which is a good thing. Nicest guy you could ever meet! He shared lots of good stories, mechanical knowledge and all around good advice. Glad Hal is not just ok, he seems like he’s doing great.

[@gawebm]

Good interview on the fly Jonas!

[@JonasMarcinko]

Thanks! Definitely on the fly :)

[@probohaha]

Good thing Hal is ok!!!

[@probohaha]

You can always replace the airplane but Hal is one of a kind!!!

[@marttimattila9561]

That Pickup tels more than you can tell. I have a 1984 Isuzu Pickup and I know what kind of "Moneyman" driwes with them. I scare inflight fire like no other, this was again a good remainder. Nice work from you both, Greetings from Finland.

[@LuMaxQFPV]

Whoa. So sorry for Hal.

[@lrparrish227]

Glad for your great piloting skills and you got down safely. So sad and I am so sorry for your loss.

[@thomaslongfellow4993]

Glad u r safe. Very educational.

[@johnnyhag675]

Hal's a legend.

[@cbcalhoun]

Poor Hal. Such a great guy!

[@nzkiwi9]

That is exactly the truck i expected Hal to drive.

[@patrickheavirland3599]

Good morning from Minnesota! Hal is class act!

[@aerialimagesbydoug5733]

Thank God Hal is ok!!!

[@chitownxring1444]

Just donated.. I am just an arm chair wanna be bush pilot but love watching anything that has to do with STOL flying so I look forward to the new build. Glad you were able to land that fireball.. God Speed Hal. -=Efrain=-

[@BadlandsSTOLAircraftLLC]

Hal is an amazing man and we are all so glad he was not injured! For anyone wanting to know, the manufactured Badlands have cowlings that are made by Carbon Concepts and are made out of Class 1 fire retardant vinyl ester resin. I do not know what the resin was on Hal's plane.

[@JoshuaPainter-rw8jw]

A man like Hal will learn from this and build it better next time. Now he's got the jigs to build it quicker. In the long run everyone will learn from Hals experience and it will be built safer and could save lives in the future. Not many out there like Hal. Is that what they call flying by the seat of his pants? Glad he's so positive about it.

[@thomaslongfellow4993]

Donated. Rock on dude.

[@tomlawrence6208]

So glad your Allright hal so glad your such a great pilot and handled the situation the best you could . Tom l.

[@skyepilotte11]

Thx Jonas and Hal, best of luck...glad you made it safely to the ground and got out safely.

[@jonathanhuman7333]

Hal is a treasure. There just aren’t enough people like him anymore.

[@grahamrowe6278]

Hal is one of my all-time heros. I'm in!

[@GulfSouthGene]

Thanks for sharing this airplane fire, wow, Hal is a man of many skills and also lucky to stay alive flying that STOL airplane. Your skills, experience and seasoned pilot saved your life. I thought motorcycles was dangerous, but life is full of unexpected dangers every day! You all have a big get together for Lucky Hal, smart and tuff enough to have a safe landing. Make a tee-shirt for Hal, I will buy one!

[@richardturner6278]

Great video. I sure hope the NTSB sends their best. I bet Hal is just as if not more knowledgeable about the technical aspects of what caused it as they are. Lets face it, they aint gonna send parts to a lab somewhere to analyze like it was the space shuttle or anything. Hal was there when it happened and hes a mechanical genius with these airplanes. Awsome video and thank goodness Hal's ok!

[@petrokemikal]

Hal is such a pleasure to listen too.. Super bumbed this happened to him but sure glad hes ok.. I always smile when I see him pop up in videos.. Sombody should make a system that sits up in the cowling that fills the cowling with expanding foam fire retardent.. when its emergencey lever is pulled.. Would save in air fire which is obviously the worst case senario.. Im sure it would take some engineering, but thats hardly above us..

[@thomassawicki2065]

No Indication of Any Problem , until flames started coming into the cockpit . I hate when that happens . I am glad you got down and did not get burned bad. Sorry about your beautiful airplane.

[@SansNeural]

"I didn't realize the resin was that flammable." I'll say that I was to surprised to hear there might be a less flammable resin. My dad was an industrial designer and worked with and around a lot of fiberglass builds. He made a few vehicle designs over the decades and the molds for the active products were in the possession of a manufacturer friend of his. After the *third* time in about 20 years that his friend's factory burned down, my dad finally collected his surviving molds and stored them himself. Polyester resin, epoxy resin... all imminently flammable as far as I know. Fiberglass parts burn down just like your friend's carbon fiber parts... leaves a near perfect mesh (or a pile of cut strands if applied by chopper gun) behind after all the resin burns away.

[@kadmow]

- remember boys and girls - Carbon fibre is merely the reinforcing for a plastic plane (cross linked epoxy resin is plastic - polymerised hydrocarbon), no matter which way you want to cut it).. The Resin is around 30MJ / kg - a little less than petrol or diesel - once it gets going - it is a great fuel... (Yes maybe the wind turbine industry simply needs to "pyrolyse" the old blades, recover the energy and reuse the reinforcing for a lesser critical task...)

[@natal777]

Glad Hal is OK !

[@csnel2184]

What a good hearted man, my GOD bless him and I'm sure before he new it, he will be on his way building a new aircraft, and Jonas thank you for the afford you put in to help. Blessings to you and your family.

[@flashted]

The weight of a simple Halon fire extinguisher system is worth its weight in gold. But most people only realize this after the fact

[@Jimmyb918]

Lucky man nice to know that everything didn't turn south

[@williampollock1274]

Damn, I feel so sorry for this man that was a lot of work only to go up in flames! Thank god he is alright though.☹😢

[@i.r.wayright1457]

I recommend getting some Fiberfrax from AC Spruce. I glued a layer inside the lower cowl of a PA-28R-200 and a Super Decathlon. The fiberglas cowling on those planes would get so hot near the exhaust system that it could bubble the paint. After the installation the Decathlon pilot told me he could put his hand on the hot spot after landing and it was cool to the touch. The material is white and will absorb liquids so after gluing it down and rolling it flat, I sealed the edges with high temp silicone and then sprayed a couple coats of silver paint on top. I think this would be a solution for protecting carbon fiber. I would also put an area of thin stainless steel around the cut out for the turbo outlet. Fiberfrax was developed for the space program and consists of washed ceramic fibers. It is available in different thicknesses. I think I used 1/8". Cut a 6'"x6" piece and put it on your palm, then put a propane torch flame to it. It will turn brown but your hand will be fine. I worked on Aerostar twins with two turbos and the mounts were needing repairs every other annual. They spin at high speed and are in effect gyros. When you are twisting around in the sky those mounts are absorbing strong forces, plus the heating causes metal to expand, and when combined with vibrations, cracks form. Good luck with your next build and keep these ideas in mind. (Retired A&P, I.A. 42 years in the business.)

[@JonasMarcinko]

Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@aviatorbja]

I love that you will only ever see him in the firefighter jumpsuit including Oshkosh 2023. It was 89°F. With high humidity . He’s a very humble guy.

[@brucepaxton2471]

Just donated. Would like to meet Hal sometime. I worked in the aerospace industry for almost 50 years. Now that I am retired, I have a greater interest in the general aviation community.

[@TibDriver]

I’ve been to Clint’s shop to pick up my Vetterman exhaust system for our RV14 a couple of years back. I’ve met Hal at Reno and at Oshkosh. No nicer people in the world and I’m glad to help a little. Thnx guys. Sorry for the loss Hal. It was fun to see this new bird fly at Reno this year. Good luck with the new Lawnmower V (?) !

[@CS_247]

Still walking around in the same overalls and shoes he nearly died in. Nutter. Gotta love Hal. What a talented airman, can't wait to see him in the air again!

[@davidfrankhauser1666]

Give Hal some zip ties, duct tape, rubber bands and some paper clips; and he’ll fix it right up and all of the original flaws. I forgot to mention this gentleman is an ambassador for aviation and possibly and national treasure.😊

[@RickLancaster-w2x]

What a great and Humble man

[@kr6dr]

Hal needs to see Bryan Turner’s video on fire extinguishers. The bottle can be plumbed to strategically placed nozzles to snuff fires fast.

[@taproom113]

Plumbing my Maule with a similar technique ... Highly recommended. Two Large Halotron bottles for the engine bay, one small Halon for the cabin. Survived a cabin 'fire' in a Lear 24 back in my Air Ambulance days. "Fire will motivate you." - Richard Pryor. Glad you're OK, Hal ... 💪 ^v^

[@rcaviatormodeler]

I'm glad that Hal is safe and ok, and I hope he will build next one 🛩️

[@JohnStitt-l8f]

So glad to see Hal is OK - what a great story he was able to tell us. Great interview by Jonas too. Unfortunately, I have watched too many James Bond movies, and know this wreckage site is now not secure. All the best to both of you and may we find out why the oil fire happened.

[@terrallputnam7979]

Hal seems like such a great man. I pray he gets a new plane soon.

[@Coops777]

What a lovely man