Dead Stick Takeoff
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 294
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From: West Midlands, UK.
I guess many on here have flown a Hang Glider (not a paraglider) - for those that have not that vid is totally representative of a HG take off but about 50% faster.
The wind noise is the same as is the 'off a cliff' sensation (in nil wind conditions).
The way the sight picture works out is the same but I suspect his glide ratio is somewhat less than a HG (13:1 ish on HG).
Regards
Cron
The wind noise is the same as is the 'off a cliff' sensation (in nil wind conditions).
The way the sight picture works out is the same but I suspect his glide ratio is somewhat less than a HG (13:1 ish on HG).
Regards
Cron
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 889
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From: UK, US, now more ɐıןɐɹʇsn∀
Not the most responsible thing not to check 'take off path' beforehand.
I guess pushing it down was his way of 'safety improvement'. Let's hope no hikers around the bottom of the hill.
Cubs etc have reasonable glide ratio and low stall speeds, low wing loading, so why not? Paragliding pilots do so as a standard. So do hang gliders. Unless car winched or with engine harness or trike.
I guess pushing it down was his way of 'safety improvement'. Let's hope no hikers around the bottom of the hill.
Cubs etc have reasonable glide ratio and low stall speeds, low wing loading, so why not? Paragliding pilots do so as a standard. So do hang gliders. Unless car winched or with engine harness or trike.
Guest
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Bloody stupid if you ask me.
As Hyperborean said, just because you [I]can[i/] doesn't mean you should. He was committed from a few seconds into the roll with no plan 'B'. If anything had slowed the roll he'd have had nowhere else to go with the only upside being that there was little chance of him taking anyone else with him if it all went wrong. Having spent several years as a bush pilot I've seen the results of people 'experimenting' and none of them were pretty.
The man's an idiot.
As Hyperborean said, just because you [I]can[i/] doesn't mean you should. He was committed from a few seconds into the roll with no plan 'B'. If anything had slowed the roll he'd have had nowhere else to go with the only upside being that there was little chance of him taking anyone else with him if it all went wrong. Having spent several years as a bush pilot I've seen the results of people 'experimenting' and none of them were pretty.
The man's an idiot.
Last edited by Flintstone; 8th April 2009 at 02:40.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 289
From: Poplar Grove, IL, USA
I did mention he was my new hero. I also agree he's barking and a genius took, with a little idiot thrown in for good measure.
But, is it really as dangerous as it might seem, though it may be a little sporty for some (like my own) tastes? No plan B? What about an engine start?
If I was him, I would not have done a deadstick take off right away. Would have been a careful build up, taking off with partial power, taking off at idle, and seeing how much margin you have. This is if you can get over the fact that just landing on top of a mountain like that is nuts period. I'd never do it. I'm afraid of heights.
-- IFMU
But, is it really as dangerous as it might seem, though it may be a little sporty for some (like my own) tastes? No plan B? What about an engine start?
If I was him, I would not have done a deadstick take off right away. Would have been a careful build up, taking off with partial power, taking off at idle, and seeing how much margin you have. This is if you can get over the fact that just landing on top of a mountain like that is nuts period. I'd never do it. I'm afraid of heights.
-- IFMU
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 177
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From: EGNM
A bit off-topic, but does anyone know why the phrase is "dead stick" rather than "dead lever" (or "dead plunger" on a Cessna)?
For some reason I always initially think of dead stick meaning the control stick (or yoke) is shot. Maybe sounds even more exciting and dangerous in the bar?
Cheers,
Gareth.
For some reason I always initially think of dead stick meaning the control stick (or yoke) is shot. Maybe sounds even more exciting and dangerous in the bar?
Cheers,
Gareth.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Done before
If you look at the sand bar he laneded on, you can see he has done it before there are tracks. Also, he could have started the engine if things went badly.
Dead stick probably refers to the dead feeling in the stick with no engine, no P-factor etc.
Dead stick probably refers to the dead feeling in the stick with no engine, no P-factor etc.
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 1
From: Oop North, UK
Dead stick probably refers to the dead feeling in the stick with no engine,
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 5,982
Likes: 1
From: In the boot of my car!
He is purely tapping into potential energy much in the same way as a glider instead of using his engine.
Bob Hoover was well known for his displays switching off his engines in a commander twin and flying a loop engine out to a landing.
In the right hands not that dangerous
Pace
Bob Hoover was well known for his displays switching off his engines in a commander twin and flying a loop engine out to a landing.
In the right hands not that dangerous
Pace
Guest
Posts: n/a
A bungee launched glider is designed to do that.
This guy had nowhere to go if it had gone wrong on the roll. A soft patch would have slowed him with the potential to hit that farking great rock and I don't care how well he knows his aircraft he'd NOT have been able to start the engine in time.
Bloody stupid.
This guy had nowhere to go if it had gone wrong on the roll. A soft patch would have slowed him with the potential to hit that farking great rock and I don't care how well he knows his aircraft he'd NOT have been able to start the engine in time.
Bloody stupid.
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 153
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From: The laughing stock of the rest of the world!
A bungee launched glider is designed to do that.
This guy had nowhere to go if it had gone wrong on the roll. A soft patch would have slowed him with the potential to hit that farking great rock and I don't care how well he knows his aircraft he'd NOT have been able to start the engine in time.
Bloody stupid.
This guy had nowhere to go if it had gone wrong on the roll. A soft patch would have slowed him with the potential to hit that farking great rock and I don't care how well he knows his aircraft he'd NOT have been able to start the engine in time.
Bloody stupid.