Death of a Stratos?!

[bwaltz]

Just kidding, but it was darn close!!!

I was out flying today, first flight, using a winch with retriever. I launched the Stratos, I like to launch pretty hard and ride out as long as I can then ZOOOOOOM real hard. Well, I guess the retriever decided to retrieve BEFORE I was off!!! Needless to say this caused adverse effects. The winch line broke but the retriever end with tow ring got lodged inside, yes inside my fuse. Somehow, the seam on the bottom of the fuse became seperated and the ring got inside. This caused the Stratos to be retrieved back to the winch and I had to yell, "GET OFF, GET OFF THE RETRIEVER!!!!" He let off and I was able to recover about 200 ft up. I had some experts at the field who were yelling for me to put full flaps in. Got everything clamed and circled slowly. As I got closer to the ground I flew directly out toward the turn around.

Nobody had ever seen the winch ring get lodged inside the fuse of the sailplane. Needless to say I am just happy to get it all down in one piece. I just dropped some thin CA on the seam and everything is back to normal.

Brett

[Vince inTX.]

Bret

I was there today and saw you fly through the whole incident. Really great heads up flying. I'm glad to hear that you got your plane fixed. That's one helluva tough bird to have survived being retreived by its ass.

Do you fly in Pearland or do you always go up to the hawks field. I fly when I can at Jack Brooks park in Santa Fe. Let me know if you want to go flying one day or evening.

My current flying buddy is a gasser at heart and He keeps talking himself out of going flying

Any way....have a great evening....

Vince

[bwaltz]

Originally posted by Vince inTX.
Bret

Do you fly in Pearland or do you always go up to the hawks field. I fly when I can at Jack Brooks park in Santa Fe. Let me know if you want to go flying one day or evening.


Hi Vince,

yes, it was a scary event. I was glad to be on the ground.

Myself and my mentor who has 30+ years in gliders/sailplanes usually fly at Tom Bass Park near Pearland. It is at Beltway 8 and 288. We have a large field there and usually winch wherever we want. We would love to have you join along to our field.

Brett

[Vince inTX.]

Sounds like we should arrange something. I would like to get more experience on a winch. But the hawks is the only one I have ever had access to. I have taken rides up on it with other people tapping the pedal but have only launched myself a few times. I will pm you later this week or the next to see what we can arrange.

Vince

[ShredAir]

Sheesh... this story beats your no-motor-brake-on-Surprise-11 one. -- Some guys just have all the luck. And it shows that you are an excellent pilot under stress.

Dieter Mahlein
http://shredair.com

[bwaltz]

Originally posted by ShredAir
Sheesh... this story beats your no-motor-brake-on-Surprise-11 one. --

Sheesh Dieter, we were suppose to keep that story between US! :p

[Whizwaz]

Hmm... No brake? I had that happen once on my Surprise 10 many years ago. :( Now, what is the usual outcome of that situation... :rolleyes:

Sounds like you had a great save, and a good test of skills too. Glad it lives on. Nothing like a "free airplane". :D -- John P

[schrederman]

Now Bret...You're not saying the Roddy is your mentor, are you? I've known him a long time... Are you that hard up for a mentor? He's from the old school, like me. Just be sure you don't pick up any of his bad habbits, like losing models vertically...Hope to see you both next weekend...and be sure to tell him I was running him down on the web...

Jack Womack

[bwaltz]

Originally posted by schrederman
Now Bret...You're not saying the Roddy is your mentor, are you? I've known him a long time... Are you that hard up for a mentor?

I know Jack. Sad isn't it? Well, to tell you the truth, my mentor changes weekly. This past weekend you could have argued it was J. Harper, but he is more like your Dad at the field. "Don't put your finger through the tow ring!" "Slow DOWN!!!" "UP, UP, UP!!!!" "Look out for that full size!!!" "Get your foot off the winch!!!" "Dean, are you on 27!!!" I even have proof of Jack...
Check him out coaching me in this action shot...
http://home.houston.rr.com/kovacs/hawks/Hawks%20pics/hpic20.jpg

Yes, we will both be there this weekend and are looking forward to it. If you still want to unload the winch I will take it.

Brett

[schrederman]

Yep...bring your dough and take it home at the end of the contest...Actually, I'm jealous that the Roddy isn't my mentor...;^)

Jack