JJ Sinclair wrote:
On May 20, 7:41 am, Andreas Maurer wrote:
On Sun, 18 May 2008 13:45:39 -0700 (PDT), JJ Sinclair

wrote:
We have had a bail-out caused by lifting mylar
on the stab.
JJ
Hi John,

what happened?

Bye
Andreas

If memory serves me (big assumption at 74) this intrepid aviator waxed
his ship and then changed the safety tape....................it lifted
but didn't come off and caused such a flow change over the elevator
that he (intrepid aviator) didn't feel he had adequate control to try
and land the bird (Ventus B). Soooooooo, he tidied up the cockpit and
stepped smartley over the side!
JJ

Kinda-sorta related, mebbe 10 years ago, the owner of a DG-300 launched
from our club's site (municipal airport). I wasn't there, what follows
is hearsay...but some lessons probably lie within...

First tow was aborted due to the need to hold nearly full aft stick to
maintain tow position. On-ground diagnosis followed - no problem found.
Second tow, same problem, safe landing again ensued, further
diagnosis, considerable loose tape at leading edge of elevator's
upper-surface mylar installation found (installation details
unknown-to-me), situation dealt with in some unknown manner, subsequent
flight not problematic.

Lessons?
- sometimes it's best to assume that little voice in your head is right
- inadvertent spoilers always have some effects
- if it ain't fixed, don't broke it

Regards,
Bob - some hearsay probably contains grains of Real Truths - W.