SSA Calendar October, 2008

Mine was - off launch on a winch. At my first contest. All the big boys watching.
Pull gear lever back, but it won't lock for some reason. Try a couple of times.

Third try the handle comes free in my hand - metal fatigue on the weld had caused it to bend, so the handle did not go
far enough to latch over centre. Two more solid tugs were then enough to snap it almost off.

Push rod forward as far as it will go with broken handle and try to wedge/lock it. Land as gently as possible on
greenest, softest piece of runway available. Roll for maybe 5m then plop onto the belly at the first real bump as the
last little bit of weld fails.

No damage to belly, but I certainly provided entertainment.

Bob Whelan wrote:
The caption reads, "Here a competitor comes in for a smooth landing."
But just how smooth will this touchdown be? I see gear-up in
progress, but my eyes have failed me before.

What am I missing?

:-)

Snipperoo...
Snip x2