Alaways check everything
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Manchester, UK
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Not an urban myth....... many years ago, a low hours PPL had a share in an already aged Jodel 112. The A65 engine always requires handswinging (as it has no starter), and this particular one had to be quite well primed to start on cold mornings & as it was early, no-one else was around.
Our hero could only find one chock. No problem, put it in front of the tailwheel, tie the stick back with the lapstrap, prime, pull through 8 times mags off, then stick back, wheel (!) chocked, contact & vrrrroooooom...... the A65 roars lustily into life, the castoring tailwheel jumps over & around the chock and our hero tries to race around the wing to get back to the cockpit.
Halfway, at the wingtip, he realises he aint gonna make it before the Jodel connects with the wooden clubhouse. So he graps the tip (which luckily has a very nice handhold) and hangs on.
The Jodel managed 3 full circles, getting a leedle closer to the clubhouse each time, before the priming effect ran out and the engine mercifully stalled due to the cold.
A few years earlier, I remember reading a newspaper article about something similar happening to a Jodel at Southend airport - except that in this case, the throttle had been left open and it roared across the apron, took off and rolled into the ground. Lucky he didnt have a passenger.........
Our hero could only find one chock. No problem, put it in front of the tailwheel, tie the stick back with the lapstrap, prime, pull through 8 times mags off, then stick back, wheel (!) chocked, contact & vrrrroooooom...... the A65 roars lustily into life, the castoring tailwheel jumps over & around the chock and our hero tries to race around the wing to get back to the cockpit.
Halfway, at the wingtip, he realises he aint gonna make it before the Jodel connects with the wooden clubhouse. So he graps the tip (which luckily has a very nice handhold) and hangs on.
The Jodel managed 3 full circles, getting a leedle closer to the clubhouse each time, before the priming effect ran out and the engine mercifully stalled due to the cold.
A few years earlier, I remember reading a newspaper article about something similar happening to a Jodel at Southend airport - except that in this case, the throttle had been left open and it roared across the apron, took off and rolled into the ground. Lucky he didnt have a passenger.........
Supercharged PPRuNer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Doon the watter, a million miles from the sandpit.
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No Sponser isn’t the only one. 2nd session of solo circuits, climbing away from the 1st touch and go. Funny, even with my tender years I sense that that a C152 should be capable of more than 65kts and about 200fpm. Check full throttle, 2500rpm, Ts & Ps green, flaps up, carb heat . . . Oh dear. :o
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Edinburgh
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Thanks for all for the posts so far. It's useful reading about other people’s mishaps... it certainly promts additional though, and hopefully an extra check at the appropriate times!
I have about 18Hrs and on the day in question was a bit more tired than usual (justification
). I was intenting to do 1Hr solo but decided to ask my instructor to join me for a few circuits to practice flapless (low confidence level). I noticed during radio checks that I had difficulty hearing what was being said, both by my instructor and A/G. On downwind, frustation increased that I passed control to instructor and started abusing my headset. It was then that my hearing was restored and I, sheepishly, admited to my instructior that I was turning the volume control the wrong way 
.
I learned: Double check volume on the ground and avoid changing mic boom from left to right side - the volume turns in a different direction on opposit sides!!!
I have about 18Hrs and on the day in question was a bit more tired than usual (justification
). I was intenting to do 1Hr solo but decided to ask my instructor to join me for a few circuits to practice flapless (low confidence level). I noticed during radio checks that I had difficulty hearing what was being said, both by my instructor and A/G. On downwind, frustation increased that I passed control to instructor and started abusing my headset. It was then that my hearing was restored and I, sheepishly, admited to my instructior that I was turning the volume control the wrong way . I learned: Double check volume on the ground and avoid changing mic boom from left to right side - the volume turns in a different direction on opposit sides!!!
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Milton Keynes, UK
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On departing Manchester Intl once, I was asked if I could make an immediate departure. Agreed yes (otherwise a 15-minute hold for other important traffic) and lined up still completing the checks. Tower cleared me for immediate take-off with an early left turn and cleared a company aircraft onto the runway behind. As I got to about 50kts, noticed rather a lot more wind in the cockpit than usual... Ooops, shut the door! Aborted the take-off down an RET, told the tower I had a small tech-snag and would be ready in 1 minute. Company aircraft rotated right next to me and said "Check the door before the next departure!!" as he flew by. Ho hum.
Forgotten the chocks once as well....!
Forgotten the chocks once as well....!
