Survival kit
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Survival kit
Was pondering about taking my single seat biplane to Ireland later this week and looked at the 60 odd miles of Irish sea and had second thoughts!
I don't have room for a dinghy, would wear a life vest and then I recalled that when I was in, years ago - we were issued with mini-flares and a very neat heliograph.
Given that my mobile would probably be u/s after it was dunked, I wonder where I could get hold of heliograph and flares.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Stik
I don't have room for a dinghy, would wear a life vest and then I recalled that when I was in, years ago - we were issued with mini-flares and a very neat heliograph.
Given that my mobile would probably be u/s after it was dunked, I wonder where I could get hold of heliograph and flares.
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Stik
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Stik,
You could try a yacht chandlery.
You may find a link on
www.passion-4.net/yachtchandlers/[/URL]
Sorry, don't seem to be able to get the link thingy working.
(edited: well the link did appear after all.)
You could try a yacht chandlery.
You may find a link on
www.passion-4.net/yachtchandlers/[/URL]
Sorry, don't seem to be able to get the link thingy working.
(edited: well the link did appear after all.)
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Lo-Tech
I recommend the old infantryman's solution - stick your mobile in a couple of ziplock freezer bags.
Also texts use a lot less power than a voice call, so your battery will last longer. If you get an Irish cell you will need to use the full international number eg +44 or +353 etc.
I also have a hazy memory of a helo pilot who ditched in the Irish Sea years ago and found the water REALLY cold and was only saved by his survival suit (which people laughed at him for wearing) -perhaps someone with a better memory could give you more details.
Regards
EG
Also texts use a lot less power than a voice call, so your battery will last longer. If you get an Irish cell you will need to use the full international number eg +44 or +353 etc.
I also have a hazy memory of a helo pilot who ditched in the Irish Sea years ago and found the water REALLY cold and was only saved by his survival suit (which people laughed at him for wearing) -perhaps someone with a better memory could give you more details.
Regards
EG
Suave yet Shallow
Join Date: Feb 2003
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try looking at McMurdo
They do all those flares & signals thingies..I had a quick look and they've got flares, smoke sticks, & distress packs containing combinations of flares in waterproof containers.
They do all those flares & signals thingies..I had a quick look and they've got flares, smoke sticks, & distress packs containing combinations of flares in waterproof containers.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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Stik
Take everything you can with you - one short dunk in freeeeezing water can really shorten your odds (!) and anyway, I note you have a spare set of wings so you are on the right track already ! Have you ever practised ditching drills ? Even in a swimming pool, it's effing freezing !!
The drill is to open all plastic wrapped gear as soon as possible because your fingers are basically useless after only minutes in the Irish Sea.
Oh and by the way, as soon as you are over water you will hear very unusual engine note changes, experience vibration at various frequencies and generally feel the hackles rising at the back of your neck for no apparent reason at all. This of course, is usually self induced
Take everything you can with you - one short dunk in freeeeezing water can really shorten your odds (!) and anyway, I note you have a spare set of wings so you are on the right track already ! Have you ever practised ditching drills ? Even in a swimming pool, it's effing freezing !!
The drill is to open all plastic wrapped gear as soon as possible because your fingers are basically useless after only minutes in the Irish Sea.
Oh and by the way, as soon as you are over water you will hear very unusual engine note changes, experience vibration at various frequencies and generally feel the hackles rising at the back of your neck for no apparent reason at all. This of course, is usually self induced
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Shark Bait
Marker dye isn't a bad idea, however i've heard that it does a good job at attracting sharks. Feel free to tell me to wind my neck in, but with great whites spotted in UK waters............
only an amatuer
only an amatuer
Supercalifragilistic
expialidocious
expialidocious
Join Date: Sep 2001
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Beacon?
How about a beacon?
Unless you are pretty close to the shore if the worst happened your mobile would be useless - especailly from sea level.
http://www.flightstore.co.uk/categor...191.dept_l3.0/
P.S. Enjoy the flight!
Edited to add optimism!
Unless you are pretty close to the shore if the worst happened your mobile would be useless - especailly from sea level.
http://www.flightstore.co.uk/categor...191.dept_l3.0/
P.S. Enjoy the flight!
Edited to add optimism!
Join Date: Mar 2000
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You could buy a one man ex military liferaft with beacon etc. from
http://www.ejectorseats.co.uk/ses.html
or
http://www.adamsdirect.co.uk/cat6_1.htm
It all fits into a very small package
Ian
http://www.ejectorseats.co.uk/ses.html
or
http://www.adamsdirect.co.uk/cat6_1.htm
It all fits into a very small package
Ian
Join Date: Dec 2000
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To ensure your speedy rescue in the event of ditching don't forget the pack of cards. Before the aircraft sinks, start a game of patience. Within two minutes somebody will look over your shoulder and say 'put the red 8 on the black 9'.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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The most important item second to a flotation aid is a thermal and waterproof suit. The RAF and Navy use what they call a once only, in British waters it would be a necessity even in summer. Even better is an immersuion suit used by fast jet crews and chopper boys a bit like a dry suit which sport SCUBA/Sub Aqua divers use.
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Survival Kit
I used to fly Coventry to Kilkenny regularly in a Pitts. Carrying adequate survival and resue kit was a nightmare! Sometimes had a friend fly alongside in a Cherokee 6 until coasting-in, (Well, this little gem had 2 engine seizures in the previous 45 hours! )Good luck bm
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Obviously you'll need some map and fablon. If you ditch (naturally while fingers not too cold) start fablonning the map. Half a dozen people will immediately com along and tell you how to do it better.
IS
IS
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How about fitting some floats converting your biplane to a floatplane, then the landing on water thing isnt so much of a problem?
Taking off might be though, as somebody did tell me once that to rotate on a floatplane you put almost full aileron on to unstick one float at a time. Sounds very silly to me!!!
Taking off might be though, as somebody did tell me once that to rotate on a floatplane you put almost full aileron on to unstick one float at a time. Sounds very silly to me!!!
Join Date: Jan 2003
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But change your will to leave the half share in the Pushpak to me though before you go............ oh and your house, car and hangar (but not overdraft)
Seriously though, I've dealt with the guys at Kemble and they are very good - all ex RAF Squippers I think
Arc
Seriously though, I've dealt with the guys at Kemble and they are very good - all ex RAF Squippers I think
Arc