Happy to hear both survived with minimal injuries.
What would it take to prevent the aircraft from going over on its back?
Often wondered if adding some means of drag to the rear of the aircraft would prevent overturning.
Example, just before touchdown pull the pin activating a grappling hook with spring loaded unfolding claws, attached with 100 feet of low stretch high performance sailboat line, spring loaded from a 1.5? dia or so PVC tube. A small drone chute near the hook to prevent slingshotting into the rear of the aircraft and also provide drag for a water landing.
Have not thought about a nondestructive means of testing.
Happy to hear both survived with minimal injuries.
What would it take to prevent the aircraft from going over on its back?
Often wondered if adding some means of drag to the rear of the aircraft would prevent overturning.
Example, just before touchdown pull the pin activating a grappling hook with spring loaded unfolding claws, attached with 100 feet of low stretch high performance sailboat line, spring loaded from a 1.5? dia or so PVC tube. A small drone chute near the hook to prevent slingshotting into the rear of the aircraft and also provide drag for a water landing.
Have not thought about a nondestructive means of testing.
I've never seen that thingy ma jig the firemen are using to flip the plane back upright. The video stops short. Anyone know how it completes its task?
I've never seen that thingy ma jig the firemen are using to flip the plane back upright. The video stops short. Anyone know how it completes its task?
Anyone know how they got out? One of the big question marks in my mind if I have to try someday.
Yep, pretty much confirming my fears. I've never really been worried about the tip-over crushing the cockpit, but being unable to punch through the canopy and slither out is a whole different concern. I'm 6'3", so I may have more difficulty than some smaller-framed pilots.
I realize that every accident is different, but overall, it seems that on an RV the best rollover mitigation is already there, i.e. the roll bar system.
This past summer, my friend flipped his RV6 on landing. He's gone public with this and has owned the fact that he must have landed with his feet on the brakes.
We were sitting in lawn chairs in the hangar on the other end of the 2500' grass strip watching him land and by the time we had hopped on a 4 wheeler and got up there, he had already kicked or punched his way through the broken canopy and was outside. I estimate that it took him less than 90 seconds to get out, even though a couple of minutes before that he had no clue that he was about to crash. He was by himself, maybe if there was another person in there getting out would have been harder, maybe not.
The roll bar deformed a little, but he's about 6' or so and didn't hit his head on anything. His only injuries were scraped shins from them hitting the underside of the panel and a few cuts and scrapes that he thinks he got from the plexiglass where he squirmed out. Nothing a few band aides couldn't fix.
I think that the RV is so short coupled that you're never going to be able to design out the potential for it to flip over, but seeing in person how well his held up put to rest any concerns I had about that particular characteristic.
I will say that I don't know how well I would have done in the same situation. I crawled back into the airplane to shut off the fuel and electrical, retrieve his glasses etc. and it was incredibly disorienting to have everything upside down.
Tip-up or Slider?
I ask because the rollbars are in different locations and and made of different material.
My concern is being upside-down in soft earth with reduced clearance between longerons and the ground......
it was a slider
Images 2 & 5 from the Komonews link clearly show a Tip-up.
The aviation-net link shows info on N615RJ, also a Tip-up.
After flipping, I think the Slider provides more clearance to get out. Draw a straight-line from the tip of the VS to the top of the roll bar to compare. You will probably need a safety hammer, in any case.
Best regards,
Merrill
.... You will probably need a safety hammer, in any case....
That's the main reason why I don't bolt in the passenger stick. Only thing holding it in is the PTT cable, which is easy enough to rip out the connector at the base of the stick if I'm in a real hurry.
Between the steel tube and the hardwood grip, ought to be enough to bash through the plexi.
Another good tool could be the bottom of the fire extinguisher, which in my -6 is between the seats and easy to reach while belted in.
My passenger stick in usually out anyway (stored safely in my tool bag in baggage). I'll have to investigate a mini quick-fist or clips to make it more accessible.
My passenger stick in usually out anyway (stored safely in my tool bag in baggage). I'll have to investigate a mini quick-fist or clips to make it more accessible.
Out of curiosity... Do you see a need to *remove* it for flight?My passenger stick is stored remotely in a cabinet in my hangar. I don?t see need to install during flight.
Out of curiosity... Do you see a need to *remove* it for flight?
it was a slider
I agree - only concern is that if there is leaking fuel, would the motor in the electric sawsall generate sparks?See posts 19 and 39. I still like this saws all, because it may well be more the the canopy one is trying to cut out of. I'm thinking--canopy mired in mud, only thing left, is out the side of the fuselage.
Yeah, Also--see post19 (Are you in Switzerland??)I agree - only concern is that if there is leaking fuel, would the motor in the electric sawsall generate sparks?
When you put it like that, I think you are right - I'll keep my eye out for a good product like that. Just for the piece of mind. I can see scenarios where it might come in handy. Some newer battery charged devices can even be charged with a USB cable, which of course is very convenient in an aircraft. (Yes, I'm in Switzerland - beautiful place!)Yeah, Also--see post19 (Are you in Switzerland??)
Those escape tools and spring loaded punches all work great on automotive safety glass. [Snip]
In a tight cockpit, with no room to swing a tool. I think it'd be really tough to bust your way out, especially in a tandem seat configuration.
I'd love to come up with a spring powered bolt gun that is strong enough to punch through the canopy, and still easily cocked.
Has anybody seen anything like that?
-------------------------Added----------------------------
Just found this. Ordered it and hoping to do some tests with it later. Weight is <15oz.
https://www.bunnyrancher.com/store/p42/The_Ballista_-_Penetrating_Bolt_Gun_.html