On 1/23/2011 6:32 PM, Sparkorama wrote:


Has anyone here ever had to exit a glider in the air?

Yes. (No collision involved; I believed it 'pitch-broken' though it probably
wasn't.)

Know anyone that has? It seems to me that a mid-air in a thermal or in the pattern is the
biggest danger. And I just can't imagine getting out of a harness and
out of a plane in the few seconds it would take if you broke a wing on
another plane.

Yes.

Dick Johnson...at least twice. 'Way back when' he bailed from an
overstressed/'exploding' Bowlus Baby Albatross while cu-nim soaring. In the
1960's he (low-altitude) bailed from a spinning Austria. SSA members can find
writeups of both events in "Soaring" magazine archives.

Dave Lawrence...overspeeded/flutter-destroyed the BRS-equipped Sparrowhawk
being tested at Mississippi State University. Saved via personal 'chute. Ditto
"Soaring" (and I believe "Aviation Week") writeup(s).

This arena is certainly rich for thought/discussion...with no universal
conclusions other than odds are that if you manage to extricate yourself from
an uncontrollable ship with*out* a 'chute, little long-term good will likely
result. Balance of risks would seem to apply...

Thoughtfully,
Bob W.