Stay in, or get out?

Bill Daniels wrote:

The real problem here is struggling to rise from a reclining position and
crawl over the side with a 15 pound 'chute on your back. That's difficult.
Being old, out of shape and/or overweight makes it impossible. This is
where the NOAH system from DG is so significant. Of all the safety related
things that one could spend money on, the NOAH system tops the list for me.

It would be interesting to construct a list of these things, and
prioritize them by their cost/benefit ratio. Bill seems like a very
safety conscious pilot, so he probably is at the point where a NOAH
system would give him the most safety increase for the buck. I'll bet a
lot, maybe most, pilots aren't in that situation.

A simple example is the Roeger hook (or a variant) that is part of every
new glider with a forward opening canopy, ensuring it can be jettisoned
safely. DG makes a retrofit available for all their older gliders, yet
relatively few have purchased one. I know Schleicher offers retrofits
for at least one glider (I bought and installed one), and perhaps others.

How many pilots have a "spoilers open during takeoff" warning? I believe
more pilots have died because of this than those that couldn't bail out
of a glider because the G forces were to great.

Here's a start on a safety equipment list, ordered by cost/benefit:

A list for the *Serious Cross-Country Pilot*

"spoilers open on takeoff" warning ($100)
parachute ($1200)
Roeger hook ($600 - my cost)
PCAS transponder detector ($450)
Transponder ($3000)
NOAH ($5000)
ELT ($1000 - 406 hz unit)
PLB ($200 - $500)

My list reflects my situation. I'm sure there should probably be several
lists that account for where you fly and the kind of flying you do. What
do other pilots think this list should include, where would you place
things in the list, and what pilots is it intended for?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

Add:

Gear warning system $20
Condom $1.50

"Eric Greenwell" wrote in message
news:aZCFi.2495$rw3.2350@trndny04...
Bill Daniels wrote:

The real problem here is struggling to rise from a reclining position and
crawl over the side with a 15 pound 'chute on your back. That's
difficult. Being old, out of shape and/or overweight makes it impossible.
This is where the NOAH system from DG is so significant. Of all the
safety related things that one could spend money on, the NOAH system tops
the list for me.

It would be interesting to construct a list of these things, and
prioritize them by their cost/benefit ratio. Bill seems like a very safety
conscious pilot, so he probably is at the point where a NOAH system would
give him the most safety increase for the buck. I'll bet a lot, maybe
most, pilots aren't in that situation.

A simple example is the Roeger hook (or a variant) that is part of every
new glider with a forward opening canopy, ensuring it can be jettisoned
safely. DG makes a retrofit available for all their older gliders, yet
relatively few have purchased one. I know Schleicher offers retrofits for
at least one glider (I bought and installed one), and perhaps others.

How many pilots have a "spoilers open during takeoff" warning? I believe
more pilots have died because of this than those that couldn't bail out of
a glider because the G forces were to great.

Here's a start on a safety equipment list, ordered by cost/benefit:

A list for the *Serious Cross-Country Pilot*

"spoilers open on takeoff" warning ($100)
parachute ($1200)
Roeger hook ($600 - my cost)
PCAS transponder detector ($450)
Transponder ($3000)
NOAH ($5000)
ELT ($1000 - 406 hz unit)
PLB ($200 - $500)

My list reflects my situation. I'm sure there should probably be several
lists that account for where you fly and the kind of flying you do. What
do other pilots think this list should include, where would you place
things in the list, and what pilots is it intended for?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

On Tue, 11 Sep 2007 20:34:14 +0000, Eric Greenwell wrote:

Here's a start on a safety equipment list, ordered by cost/benefit:

A list for the *Serious Cross-Country Pilot*

"spoilers open on takeoff" warning ($100)
parachute ($1200)
Roeger hook ($600 - my cost)
PCAS transponder detector ($450)
Transponder ($3000)
NOAH ($5000)
ELT ($1000 - 406 hz unit)
PLB ($200 - $500)

My list reflects my situation. I'm sure there should probably be several
lists that account for where you fly and the kind of flying you do. What
do other pilots think this list should include, where would you place
things in the list, and what pilots is it intended for?

The obvious omission:

Flarm (US $400 - $500). My first hand experience is that in terms of
cost/benefit, it belongs up with the chute, maybe even above it. Even if
you are fortunate enough not to need one of these devices, remember it
also offers protection for the other pilot who might not see you.

It is time someone developed a version that is accepted world wide and can
be fitted to power aircraft as well, while keeping the costs "VFR
affordable".


Ian

Eric Greenwell wrote:

A list for the *Serious Cross-Country Pilot*
(updated Sept 12, 2007)

"spoilers open on takeoff" warning ($100 - includes "gear up" warning)
parachute ($1200)
Roeger hook ($600 - my cost; for other gliders $??)
FLARM ($600Euro - for pilots in Europe and Australia)
PCAS transponder detector ($450)
Transponder ($3000)
NOAH ($5000)
ELT ($1000 - 406 hz unit)
PLB ($200 - $500)

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes" http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" at www.motorglider.org

Pigot hooks. Why is DG the only company really pushing these. I've had
the spoilers try to "self deply" on a DG-1000S while on low tow, just
hit a sharp bump and they popped, so much for properly closing them.
The "hook" on the spoiler handle stops the spoiler from very far and
the spoiler vibrate up and down and makes a loud noise immediately
drawing your attention to the wings. Parts costs are ridiculously low,
it is a piece of sheet metal. Glider manufacturers should be giving
these away to current owners for PR value and for reduced accident
rates on their fleet.

I'd add upgrading to decent brakes if the glider does not have them,
so you can stop when needed in that tight field. I upgraded my DG-303
from cable brakes to hydraulic brakes. A big improvement. The old
brakes could stop the glider but would get out of adjustment and you
have more control with the hydraulic brakes. Cost $1k I believe.

A handheld VHF radio. Handy as a backup. A big help and sometimes a
safety issue when pushing gliders around busier airports I fly at.
Maybe some spare batteries and some way to jury rig this to the glider
batteries if you crash and land out. A few hundred dollars. I was
reminded of the use of these yesterday when a Cessna 152 compete with
student pilot taxied past me as I was walking around the ramp area at
my airport. he had a flat nose tire just about running on the rim. I
did not have my handheld on me and could not get his attention by
waiving etc. He managed to takeoff, wonder what happened on his
landing.

New batteries for the glider every few years or whenever the batteries
show problems, and a good charger designed for AGM batteries. $100-
$150. Not listening to people complain about glider battery problems.
Priceless.

A nice printed out/laminated post assembly and pre-take off checklist
(and use it). ~$1. Include "Positive Control Check" - that will save a
few lives. I just do not get that some people still will skip this. I
refused to run somebody's wing earlier this year until he did a
positive check - apparently standing around talking to other pilots
waiting for a tow was more important than doing a positive.

Beyond all these I hope people carry lots of water and basic survival
gear, tie down stuff, any medications needed etc. Find some way to put
a few key things on your parachute (use one of Allen Silver's SMAK
packs).

Darryl

On Sep 12, 9:06 am, Eric Greenwell wrote:
Eric Greenwell wrote:

A list for the *Serious Cross-Country Pilot*
(updated Sept 12, 2007)

"spoilers open on takeoff" warning ($100 - includes "gear up" warning)
parachute ($1200)
Roeger hook ($600 - my cost; for other gliders $??)
FLARM ($600Euro - for pilots in Europe and Australia)
PCAS transponder detector ($450)
Transponder ($3000)
NOAH ($5000)
ELT ($1000 - 406 hz unit)
PLB ($200 - $500)

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA
* Change "netto" to "net" to email me directly
* "Transponders in Sailplanes"http://tinyurl.com/y739x4
* "A Guide to Self-launching Sailplane Operation" atwww.motorglider.org