I got whacked by a 2M Kestrel!

[rocketman47]

The other day, I was out with the local glider club. I was on short final with my Kranich. A fellow flyer was attempting a launch his 2 meter Kestrel from a hi-start. It popped off, made this huge arc and connected with the side of my face and shoulder. The glider literaly exploded. Besides spitting blood for a while and receiving a bruised shoulder blade, I was otherwise unharmed. I managed to succesfully land my plane too. I'm just glad it wasn't one of the other glass ships out that day. Otherwise, I might not be setting here telling this story to you all! I have been flying for twenty six years. This was a first for me. Guess it's bound to happen sooner or later.

Randy

[Michael Heer]

While my only injuries from a plane were as a teenager from my Cox Stuka's propeller. I have seen and heard of many injuries and damage done by gliders. Here is a short list off the top of my head: two broken car windshields, broken collar bone, broken arm, broken leg (by his own plane on landing), knock out (by own plane on launching and hit back of his head.) Injured back (Plane crashed through his roof and sound shocked him while he was making love to his wife and he jerked injuring his back.) Variety of hand injuries at the slope from deflecting other people's planes. This can be a dangerous hobby. I have seen a person knocked over the edge of a cliff while trying to catch his own slope plane and the momentum took him over. Fell and rolled over 150 feet and only suffered bruises and skin burns from sliding on the dried grass. (Transmitter and plane were not so lucky as he rolled over them and broke them pretty good.) Mike Heer

[webmarin]

I have seen several bungee and hi-start near accidents. Always because people think they can do a fast powered launch while people are flying in front of them with only a small side margin.

I personally believe those starts need plenty of room and if the person launching is new or has a new plane or bungee, I land and get the heck away.

I saw one loop after launch and come at me from behind and I was 15' off to the side......