Scattering of ashes from a plane
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Scattering of ashes from a plane
Just wondering if anyone has found or knows of a device that can be used to scatter ashes from a plane. Have seen a plane in the US that had a device that ejected ashes out through a hole in the floor but wondering if anyone has anything similar or knows of anything that might work.
Joined: Mar 2008
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 74
Likes: 21
From: Perth, Australia
Not aware of any device as such, however my old man scattered ashes once in the 70's out of an aircraft window. It didnt go well, most of the ashes blew back into the cabin... so wouldn't reccomend that.
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,195
Likes: 271
From: Equatorial
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Depends at the time!
Get a garden hose, stick a small funnel in the end. Hang the funnel past the tail cone and duct tape the the hose to the fuselage. That should give you a vacuum then stick the hose end in the urn. That’ll do it. Don’t let anyone catch you.
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 48
Likes: 2
From: Western Spiral Arm, Milky Way (sorry I cannot be more specific!)
One of my previous operators would put the ashes in a sock. When held out the DV window the sock was then turned inside out. Told it avoided the blow back problem. Might be worth "a dry run"?
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 431
From: Cab of a Freight Train
Just wondering if anyone has found or knows of a device that can be used to scatter ashes from a plane. Have seen a plane in the US that had a device that ejected ashes out through a hole in the floor but wondering if anyone has anything similar or knows of anything that might work.
The ashes are loaded in with the pod upside down, the door is closed, and the pod bolted to the wing tiedown point. Some HD aluminium tape secured the rear portion to avoid any tendancy to 'weathercock' around the bolt (didn't move an inch though). A thin 2-core cable is duct-taped along the trailing edge of the wing just ahead of the flap, and under the canopy seal to a DPDT momentary switch in the cockpit. At the appropriate time, the switch is pressed, and the bottom hatch lowers vertically, and the airflow catches the remains. Turbulence around the hatch ensures pretty much all of the remains are dropped, and if you are orbiting the area, you can see them as they disperse.
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 24
From: YMML
Seem to remember a story here on PRUNE a long while back about using a Cherokee storm window. Funnel with longish nozzle and some foam packing to seal off the window. Once over the desired area, open the urn and pour into the funnel. Enough negative pressure to suck the remains clear and actually, away from the fuselage.
Joined: Dec 2001
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 424
From: GA, USA
I have no first hand experience as I’ve always politely refused to do those flights but have heard the horror stories of others that have.....returned with half the deceased now permanently part of the airplane in tail cones and elevator hinges and fabric interiors.
For an unaltered plane may I suggest a plastic bag with a ripcord? So a practice run or two to get the system right.
And home made contraptions attached to the airplane can get you in hot water with the authorities.
You could also consider a skydiver plane with a rear opening hatch.
After the jumpers have vacated eject the ashes.
For an unaltered plane may I suggest a plastic bag with a ripcord? So a practice run or two to get the system right.
And home made contraptions attached to the airplane can get you in hot water with the authorities.
You could also consider a skydiver plane with a rear opening hatch.
After the jumpers have vacated eject the ashes.
Joined: Jan 1999
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 40
From: Abeam Alice Springs
I have seen this done from a multi-engine acft. A small length (~2ft) of fibreglass drain pipe about 3 in in diameter - modify one end to make it easy to insert the ashes or put in a sock with end tied off till you want to activate. Place the pipe out the strm window and undo the sock. Have a pilot in the other seat so you can do the job and not have to fly the acft at the same time. If the pipe is out far enought there should not be any 'blowback'. A practice run would be good. Good luck
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 73
Likes: 3
From: Brisbane
The 200mm Polly Pipe is the way to go with a flap at One end and a handle at the other opening it via a rod/torque tube arrangement. If it is a couple of foot long you can poke it out the window far enough. Best side is with the down going propwash. Used a similar arrangement in a tiger moth before. The only messy part was getting the ashes in the pipe. I would advise to not do it in front of the family and probably not wearing black clothing. Speaking from experience.
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Perth
We sent my father to meet his god in a thin plastic lunch bag. We tied about 3 metres of cord to the seat frame and then tied the other end around dad in the bag. I measured the line needed on the ground to make sure it would clear the airframe and then made a practice run using flour in the bag. It worked a treat. Put the bag out the window.As the bag reaches the end of the line it jerks the bag and then splits and the contents disappear. Pull the line back in and no mess and no rubbish left. It worked for us.
Joined: Oct 2018
Aviation Qualifications: PPL
Posts: 12,213
Likes: 1,648
From: Ferrara
A few years ago there was an article in the US magazine Flying about this - the general view was not to do it
But if you do.....
Make sure you have someone other than the pilot doing the work so the pilot FLYS THE PLANE AT ALL TIMES..
Small 'planes often generate a low pressure area in the cabin - hence the embarrassing blow back Using a long flexible plastic tube with a weight on the end and FIXED to the plane seemed to work - the end gets outside the pressure variations around the aircraft - but of course it may strike the tail or wrap itself around the rudder......
Someone suggest attaching the ashes to hydrogen balloon and using a BB gun to pop it when it reached a suitable height..............
But if you do.....
Make sure you have someone other than the pilot doing the work so the pilot FLYS THE PLANE AT ALL TIMES..
Small 'planes often generate a low pressure area in the cabin - hence the embarrassing blow back Using a long flexible plastic tube with a weight on the end and FIXED to the plane seemed to work - the end gets outside the pressure variations around the aircraft - but of course it may strike the tail or wrap itself around the rudder......
Someone suggest attaching the ashes to hydrogen balloon and using a BB gun to pop it when it reached a suitable height..............
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,445
Likes: 204
From: Location: Location!
Lots more fuel for the fire available here:
Advice on scattering a persons ash's from the air
Dispersal of ashes from aeroplane...
My lips remain sealed regarding burials at sea.....
Jack
Advice on scattering a persons ash's from the air
Dispersal of ashes from aeroplane...
My lips remain sealed regarding burials at sea.....
Jack