Bailout and survival kit

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 10:19:38 AM UTC-7, John DeRosa OHM Ω http://aviation.derosaweb.net wrote:
On Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 3:39:09 PM UTC-5, 2G wrote:
Quick, what side of the tree does moss grow on?

Tom

===========================

It depends.

North if north of the equator.
South if south of the equator.
Either way nearby the equator (depends on the time of the year)

It also depends on local shade in that spot in the forrest. Moss likes wet..

Here's why I don't recommend a compass:

1) Most people have no idea how to properly navigate in the backcountry by compass. You need to know how to shoot bearings, triangulate, understand contour lines, measure distance, etc. Without prior orienteering experience, a compass isn't very useful.

2) A compass should really be used with a particular type of map, such as a USG map with 1:24000 scale and 100ft contour lines. You'll also want a pencil and an altimeter is very helpful too. Given the possible range of soaring flights, you'd need to carr a bunch of maps in your bailout kit. Then, you'd need to change out your map collection whenever you fly at a new location.

3) Even if you have the necessary maps and skills, GPS works sooooooo much better than a mechanical compass.

4) I'm pretty well covered by my other devices. In fact, my Garmin InReach has a compass. Even without GPS signal, it provides a working compass, barometric altimeter, and topo maps. My phone also has GPS, compass, and topo maps. I also have an inclinometer app that I use to evaluate avalanche risk. Don't feel comfortable with only two navigation devices? Get a Garmin watch!

Anyways, my advice is to have at least two navigation devices. These should be fast, accurate, and easy to use, which rules out a magnetic compass for most people.

If you would like some added perspective on these topics, tune in he

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/reg...0?source=r.a.s.

It begins at 7pm cdt , in about an hour and a half. Free.
Good for Wings Program credit if you use same email account for faa and this registration.

Some recounts from folks who've done this stuff for real, landout, hostile place, S&R involved.

Or, login, listen, and post all your gripes about it back here later. Your choice.

Cindy B

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 5:36:40 PM UTC-5, CindyB wrote:
If you would like some added perspective on these topics, tune in he

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/reg...0?source=r.a.s.

It begins at 7pm cdt , in about an hour and a half. Free.
Good for Wings Program credit if you use same email account for faa and this registration.

Some recounts from folks who've done this stuff for real, landout, hostile place, S&R involved.

Or, login, listen, and post all your gripes about it back here later. Your choice.

Cindy B

My presentation will be about my research into, and comparisons of, the different types of emergency location devices. I will also talk about what you might want to carry on your person during a bail out.

Full disclosure that I have never had a bail out, been involved in a search and rescue event, nor landed out in any experience worse than a soft farmer's field and a quick retrieve. I've been lucky thus far. But I was a boy scout so I want to "be prepared".

Hope you can attend.

- John DeRosa OHM Ω

Any comments on static lines?

My S-H glider has an in cockpit attachment point for a static line.

I am interested in comments on bailing out in am emergency.
Not as interested in the captain obvious comments like "you could accidentally open your chute after a normal landing getting out of your glider". That is implicit and obvious.

Thoughts on actual emergency bailouts, static line versus regular D handle?

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 9:06:29 PM UTC-4, Mike N. wrote:
Any comments on static lines?

My S-H glider has an in cockpit attachment point for a static line.

I am interested in comments on bailing out in am emergency.
Not as interested in the captain obvious comments like "you could accidentally open your chute after a normal landing getting out of your glider". That is implicit and obvious.

Thoughts on actual emergency bailouts, static line versus regular D handle?

It is a good idea, it will be much faster. No one in the US, including me, knows much about them. Talk to the manufacturer both glider and parachute and your rigger there is more than one way to attach the static line. The only thing I would caution is when you review bailout procedures plan to pull the ripcord yourself, just in case you didn't clip on the static line on the day you need it. If it is hooked up it will be open before you have your head together.

FYI - The presentation from last night's SSA Webinar "Emergency Locator Devices & Other Safety Equipment" is available at http://aviation.derosaweb.net/presen...cation_devices.

In the near future the recording of the webinar will be available at https://www.ssa.org/Webinars. The recording adds much to the dry presentation by showcasing the real-world comments from David Lessnick's landout experiences using several emergency location devices.

- John DeRosa OHM Ω

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 3:03:40 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Here's why I don't recommend a compass:

1) Most people have no idea how to properly navigate in the backcountry by compass. You need to know how to shoot bearings, triangulate, understand contour lines, measure distance, etc. Without prior orienteering experience, a compass isn't very useful.

2) A compass should really be used with a particular type of map, such as a USG map with 1:24000 scale and 100ft contour lines. You'll also want a pencil and an altimeter is very helpful too. Given the possible range of soaring flights, you'd need to carr a bunch of maps in your bailout kit. Then, you'd need to change out your map collection whenever you fly at a new location.

3) Even if you have the necessary maps and skills, GPS works sooooooo much better than a mechanical compass.

4) I'm pretty well covered by my other devices. In fact, my Garmin InReach has a compass. Even without GPS signal, it provides a working compass, barometric altimeter, and topo maps. My phone also has GPS, compass, and topo maps. I also have an inclinometer app that I use to evaluate avalanche risk. Don't feel comfortable with only two navigation devices? Get a Garmin watch!

Anyways, my advice is to have at least two navigation devices. These should be fast, accurate, and easy to use, which rules out a magnetic compass for most people.

All of those things are fine nav aids - when they work. Batteries die and canyons and trees block GPS reception. A magnetic compass WILL work virtually all of the time. Maps can be carried electronically in a smart phone or a tablet. I like backups if the **** hits the fan. As with anything, practice is highly recommended BEFORE your life depends upon it.

Tom

On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 6:22:22 PM UTC-7, 2G wrote:
On Tuesday, May 12, 2020 at 3:03:40 PM UTC-7, wrote:
Here's why I don't recommend a compass:

1) Most people have no idea how to properly navigate in the backcountry by compass. You need to know how to shoot bearings, triangulate, understand contour lines, measure distance, etc. Without prior orienteering experience, a compass isn't very useful.

2) A compass should really be used with a particular type of map, such as a USG map with 1:24000 scale and 100ft contour lines. You'll also want a pencil and an altimeter is very helpful too. Given the possible range of soaring flights, you'd need to carr a bunch of maps in your bailout kit. Then, you'd need to change out your map collection whenever you fly at a new location.

3) Even if you have the necessary maps and skills, GPS works sooooooo much better than a mechanical compass.

4) I'm pretty well covered by my other devices. In fact, my Garmin InReach has a compass. Even without GPS signal, it provides a working compass, barometric altimeter, and topo maps. My phone also has GPS, compass, and topo maps. I also have an inclinometer app that I use to evaluate avalanche risk. Don't feel comfortable with only two navigation devices? Get a Garmin watch!

Anyways, my advice is to have at least two navigation devices. These should be fast, accurate, and easy to use, which rules out a magnetic compass for most people.

All of those things are fine nav aids - when they work. Batteries die and canyons and trees block GPS reception. A magnetic compass WILL work virtually all of the time. Maps can be carried electronically in a smart phone or a tablet. I like backups if the **** hits the fan. As with anything, practice is highly recommended BEFORE your life depends upon it.

Tom

One should make your sight picture as large as possible (spread out chute) and stay with the aircraft unless you have a great idea or need. If you are going to move, generally you follow drainage so a compass doesn't mean ****. I have one on my paracord bracelet, doubt I would ever use it. The only time I have ever used one in a glider was to figure runway direction from a vertical card compass. If you are in flat land a compass would be darn handy though.