Scattering Ashes

Although not meeting the request to use to use an ASK21, another option
might be to use a sailplane which can deploy a drogue chute. I'm not
familiar with the actual arrangement, but the ashes might be able to be
stored in the chute compartment and released at altitude, dispensing
from the very rear of the glider. Another glider flying in a safe zone,
perhaps an ASK21, could be used to visually confirm the release.



Chuck Patterson wrote:
A friend died earlier this year and his widow has asked
that we scatter his ashes from a sailplane, preferably
an ASK 21. Does anyone have experience with this? Visions
of various ash scattering scenes from the movies come
to mind – scenes that I do not wish to reenact.

We have considered running a tube out the window thinking
that the ashes would be sucked out (have not tried
this yet). We have tried, using a bag of dirt, just
pushing the bag out the window and trying to get it
to empty into the airstream. That did not work. The
thought of flying without the canopy so the bag could
be more easily emptied in the airstream came to mind,
but I do not believe that operations without a canopy
are approved in the flight manual, and it might just
make an even bigger mess.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Chuck

Chuck Patterson wrote:
A friend died earlier this year and his widow has asked
that we scatter his ashes from a sailplane, preferably
an ASK 21. Does anyone have experience with this? Visions

Just another suggestion/method that has worked in the past. Cut a leg
from a pair of trousers. Tie one end of a length of cord securely to
one end to form a cloth tube, and transfer the ashes into the tube.
tie the other end of the cord to the open end with a slipknot. Feed
the slipknot end out through the vent window, holding onto the cord at
the closed end so you don't lose the entire tube, and then pull the
slipknot loose when you want to dump the ashes.

A typical set of ashes weighs a fair amount (10-15 lbs IIRC), and has
non-trivial bulk so whatever method you choose, PRACTICE it once or
twice using flour or sand. You'll probably be very glad you did ;-).

Frank

Right after 9/11 here on the left side of the pond,
the regulations were changed to the effect that NOTHING
could be tossed out of an aircraft (fear of anthrax,
etc.) Is that ruling still in effect?


At 01:24 08 November 2006, 1sl wrote:
Although not meeting the request to use to use an ASK21,
another option
might be to use a sailplane which can deploy a drogue
chute. I'm not
familiar with the actual arrangement, but the ashes
might be able to be
stored in the chute compartment and released at altitude,
dispensing
from the very rear of the glider. Another glider flying
in a safe zone,
perhaps an ASK21, could be used to visually confirm
the release.



Chuck Patterson wrote:
A friend died earlier this year and his widow has
asked
that we scatter his ashes from a sailplane, preferably
an ASK 21. Does anyone have experience with this?
Visions
of various ash scattering scenes from the movies come
to mind – scenes that I do not wish to reenact.

We have considered running a tube out the window thinking
that the ashes would be sucked out (have not tried
this yet). We have tried, using a bag of dirt, just
pushing the bag out the window and trying to get it
to empty into the airstream. That did not work. The
thought of flying without the canopy so the bag could
be more easily emptied in the airstream came to mind,
but I do not believe that operations without a canopy
are approved in the flight manual, and it might just
make an even bigger mess.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Chuck

"Chuck Patterson" wrote in message
...
A friend died earlier this year and his widow has asked
that we scatter his ashes from a sailplane, preferably
an ASK 21. Does anyone have experience with this? Visions
of various ash scattering scenes from the movies come
to mind – scenes that I do not wish to reenact.

I did it today twice, but not from a sailplane. The ashes come in a box
about the same size and weight as a 5# box of TSP (ask at any paint store)
Inside the box is probably a plastic bag, probably tied off with a plastic tie
wrap. (Clip the tie wrap and replace with a twist-tie before the flight to
avoid a classic fumble.) It is a two-person job; one to fly, one to scatter.
Somewhere on or in the bag is a metal plate or medallian. Be sure not to
"scatter" that identification because it may attract unwelcome official interest
if found.

I have always simply held the plastic bag outside the airplane while
someone was flying in the traditional slip and "metered" the contests of the bag
by holding it slightly closed. Towards the end, you will have to let the bag
flap in the wind to get the last few ounces out.

Consider using the tow plane to scatter the ashes. The lower rear corner
of the rear door of a Maule works perfectly.

If I HAD to scatter ashes through the vent window of a glider, I would
modify a pair of panty hose. (Caution: I have not tried the following, but I
have given it lots of thought) Clip the toe of one leg and tie off with a
shoestring. Fill that leg up with ashes, and tie off with another shoestring to
secure the payload. Fasten the other leg inside the glider to act as a tether.
Carefully remove the shoestring from the toe and feed out the vent window. The
flapping and the breeze through the fabric should do the job for you. (Try it
out with some dry sand or soap powder first to validate the method?)

Try to convince the family that they should not be there; they should
certainly not be inside the aircraft. Horror stories abound about scattering
ashes and it is better that they not be there just in case you make a mess of
it. That said, I am a three-time veteran as of today and have not yet had a
problem.

Vaughn



We have considered running a tube out the window thinking
that the ashes would be sucked out (have not tried
this yet). We have tried, using a bag of dirt, just
pushing the bag out the window and trying to get it
to empty into the airstream. That did not work. The
thought of flying without the canopy so the bag could
be more easily emptied in the airstream came to mind,
but I do not believe that operations without a canopy
are approved in the flight manual, and it might just
make an even bigger mess.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Chuck