Sport Pilot Talk

Karen and I both send our condolences as well.

Sounds like a life well spent.

Paul, best wishes to you on being able to put things in order easily. I had a similar experience not long ago regarding my father who was located outside of San Diego, so I've walked in your moccasins a bit. I do envy the nature of your Mom's passing; should we all be so lucky.

An aside, to perhaps add a bit of levity to a solemn occasion: For just about my entire adult life, my father would loudly and persistently tell me I shouldn't expect a dime from his estate. The often repeated message was: 'I'm planning my affairs so the check to the ambulance company will bounce, and you'd better plan accordingly!' Just like your comment about your Mother, his life ended in exactly the manner he intended.

(condolences expressed privately.)

Safety Gear:

Even though the plane has an ELT I like the idea of a portable beacon that can be quickly stuffed down a shirt.
Small halon fire extinguisher… 1.3 pounds of extinguishing agent, 2.5 pounds gross weight. Hope its enough if ever needed. Couldn't see carrying the 5-pound bottle. The oxygen bottle is virtually weightless:
Still need to get a safety hammer with belt cutter.

Richard, you are enjoying this aircraft ownership thing f-a-r too much! <s>

A question for you: How (if at all) does your POH address emergency egress from the cockpit should the plane flip over on 'landing'? I've always been curious about how (or if) low wing/bubble canopy mfgrs. address this issue. In the case of our Grumman, one option is to use the 'mail slot' baggage door, which can be unlocked from the inside...but that would be an option in these LSA a/c.

Jack Tyler wrote:How (if at all) does your POH address emergency egress from the cockpit should the plane flip over on 'landing'?

There is no mention of this Jack. Obviously the bubble canopy is a detriment if the plane flips over.

For off-field landing POH does not call for canopy unlatch.
The checklist does call for canopy unlatch after final flap deployment.

After seeing videos of the flight characteristics with the canopy unlatched I would not unlatch it for an off-field landing because:
1) Goal is to set the plane down slowly without stalling.
2) Canopy unlatch would be a major distraction, could disturb the attitude on final, would prohibit slip.

* I would ask a passenger to pull the latch once the wheels touch down.

Jack Tyler wrote:Richard, you are enjoying this aircraft ownership thing f-a-r too much! <s>

A question for you: How (if at all) does your POH address emergency egress from the cockpit should the plane flip over on 'landing'? I've always been curious about how (or if) low wing/bubble canopy mfgrs. address this issue. In the case of our Grumman, one option is to use the 'mail slot' baggage door, which can be unlocked from the inside...but that would be an option in these LSA a/c.

I carry a simple tool designed to cut through the Plexiglas. Here's a demo on an RV-7: http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/Cha ... eting.html.

Products to consider:
http://www.flyboyaccessories.com/Chisel ... p/2201.htm
http://www2.knifecenter.com/item/GB1629 ... ade-Sheath

I prefer the Gerber Infantry Knife as it has multiple uses.

Dear friends,

I'm sorry to have derailed this thread with family matters, but I feel that you all are my family. Thank you for your kind words of support.

We now return to your regularly scheduled program.

dstclair wrote:I carry a simple tool designed to cut through the Plexiglas. Here's a demo on an RV-7: http://www.europa.com/~swayze/RV-7A/Cha ... eting.html.

That's the stuff.

So does the infantry knife work the same way?
Score with tip and hammer with handle blunt force?

Supposed to work the same -- I've not tried it myself

The knife handle has a hardened point so don't believe you'd need to score with the point.

Here's a smaller knife that was recommended on the Van's site since some found the Infantry knife a bit big.

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/produ ... ted-Blade/

Your new plane has a BRS, right? I think a couple of pictures show the BRS decal?

If I was going to go down in a place where I was pretty sure to flip, I would pull the chute. That is, if I remembered it. This is where the law of primacy might take over.

100% agree on the chute.

My personal plan is to pull the chute if I have ANY uncertainty of the landing area.

I've seen too many reports and pictures of aircraft flipping when they've done off-airport landings on seemingly good surfaces.

The Plexiglas breaker is just a backup plan.

YMMV.

dstclair wrote:Here's a smaller knife that was recommended on the Van's site since some found the Infantry knife a bit big.

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/produ ... ted-Blade/

Thanks!

I like this because:
1) Price
2) Foldable ("less threatening" if you get searched)

Do you know from the Van's discussion:
Does it have the hardened tip to cut plexi?
Would the backside be strong enough to hammer out?

drseti wrote:Dear friends,

I'm sorry to have derailed this thread with family matters, but I feel that you all are my family. Thank you for your kind words of support.

We now return to your regularly scheduled program.

I haven't been on line in a few weeks I preparing to sell my house and relocate to ME. Sorry to hear the news, my condolences and prayers for you & your family.

designrs wrote:

dstclair wrote:Here's a smaller knife that was recommended on the Van's site since some found the Infantry knife a bit big.

http://www.thefirestore.com/store/produ ... ted-Blade/

Thanks!

I like this because:
1) Price
2) Foldable ("less threatening" if you get searched)

Do you know from the Van's discussion:
Does it have the hardened tip to cut plexi?
Would the backside be strong enough to hammer out?

The point is designed to shatter a windshield so should work on plexiglas like the other tools.