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My Opinion on Ditching a trike in water- Very Likely Deadly!!
Categories: Tech, Equipment, Training / Learning to Fly a Trike, Safety
This is my opinion only, after having thought about it for some time:
I was chatting here with a student pilot, who was showing a link where he flies at- Lots of big lakes nearby.
Hey, I checked out your google map, nice place to fly. Watch out for flying over water. Hey, since you're a newby, I thought I'd warn you about flying low over water-- BAD idea. You would think it's probably safer to ditch ("water crash landing") in a trike than an enclosed airplane, but a trike is an absolute death trap in water:
That is not an easy task either-- FAA studies show it is difficult to judge what height to jump, but I'm sure that not getting free first will be much worse.
Comments
xc wouldn't you stear for a boat than blow your brs! :-( in my opinion I'd rather not ditch but great you have it worked out and
A plan of action
David C, yes I mentioned that. I wouldn't say I have it worked out. If that ever happens, it's evidence I didn't have something worked out.
Oh, what I wrote was "my plan is to blow the chute at the last 500 feet or so, steering as close to a boat or land as possible, then extract myself with feet over the side so I can jump in at last moment. " I edited it so that it's more clear now that steering comes before BRS ;)
Yes, Ken it is here:
Military has them. They usually do it blindfolded (as it will be difficult/impossible to see usually when you go in) and orientation will be gone and that is much of what they teach you.
Minus the violence of a trike crash, the bar and the D-bars, helmet, seat belts, comm wires, etc, collapsed wing over your head, baseball bat to the head and one to the chest, -- minus all that, it doesn't look bad. Re-Read this recent account if you have that thought though
We had also previously discussed that if it is possible to have a bar movement limiter on the DTA Voyager (no front tube, a limiter between the keel and the mast prevents the bar from being pushed too far forward (as there is no front tube). If it is possible to have a limiter to prevent to much forward bar motion, why not have a limiter that prevents the mar from moving closer to the front seat than about 8-10 inches (chest width?)
it might then prevent parking with the bar 'agin the seat, ( at times necessary!) absolutely agree with the ' don't go there ' comments on 'water landing' ( contra-diction of terms!) . if you aint a duck, don't attempt it! even they screw up once in a while! (usually on ice!) in my boring diatribe on 'the dark side' on 'how to crash a trike' i recomended after full stall (at a foot above 'un-landable terrain) then while 'falling' that last few inches THEN pull the bar 'agin your chest ( or tits ,as gender demands ) with your arms alongside with a death-grip on the bar. it then prevents that, which by then becomes a harmfull weapon from SLAMMING you , it can only push HARD against you. i done did this in my 2006 crash in az, walked away with nary a scratch. two of my buds, one a hg hangy, the other a triker pilot broke BOTH arms in 'landing crashes' ( both using the 'rabid' extend both arms at ALL times ALWAYS in the fully extended 'please break me position ), needless to say i avoided BOTH of them during their healing periods in case they had to 'use the bathroom' while with me! ( a hell of a way to test a TRUE friend -ship!) monty
Related threads (trikes & gyros discussed) and some link back to Alltrikes:
http://alltrikes.com/elgg/pages/view/16763/survival-training-for-after-a-ditching-staying-alive
http://alltrikes.com/elgg/pages/view/9202/would-you-ditch-in-water-or-trees
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?p=575189
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40957&highlight=ditching
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=40942&highlight=ditching
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34846&highlight=ditching
http://www.rotaryforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25738&highlight=ditching