Landing on sand?

[oggers]

^^ as you said disorientation is a major factor. You will be aware that one of the key drills taught is to 'orientate' toward the escape route (for those not actually on the sticks) before ditching. Nonetheless my original point is that even for GA pilots with little or no training in ditching, they are statistically most likely to successfully egress after a controlled ditching as discussed in this video

You Tube

[Pilot DAR]

Good video! For my experience, if you see this fellow (Paul Bertorelli) presenting about GA flying, it's worth a listen. To answer his one variable, my experienced choice would be wheels up for ditching an RG.

[possel]

Originally Posted by abgd

There was a Turbulent ditched in shallow water in the UK recently, and the pilot was unable to get out by himself as the aircraft came to rest upside down on the cockpit. Luckily it was an airshow and he was rescued.

This has completely changed my views on potential water landings. I would now either choose to land on a beach or further out to sea, but never in the surf.

If I were flying a high wing aircraft such as a 172 I would be more likely to choose to land in shallow water.

Yes, but the issue that particular pilot had was nothing to do with the surf. His problem was that his lifejacket inflated automatically when he flipped over, thus preventing him from undoing his harness! He survived simply because he was so close to the shore that onlookers could wade in the surf and lift the aircraft so that he didn't drown.

Moral - aircraft and automatic lifejackets don't necessarily mix.

[Sam Rutherford]

Correction: aircraft and AUTOMATIC lifejackets NEVER mix! Luckily, it's usually possible to simply unscrew the 'automatic' part.

Even better, most of the 'aircrew' jackets are simply more expensive (but less equipped, without the automatic part) than the yachting version. Top tip, head to your chandlers and save a few £££...

[possel]

Originally Posted by Sam Rutherford

Correction: aircraft and AUTOMATIC lifejackets NEVER mix! Luckily, it's usually possible to simply unscrew the 'automatic' part.

And I thought If I said "NEVER" I would have some smartie correct me...!

[Sam Rutherford]

You're right, sorry. Never say Never.

[Bosi72]

Sand vs water = sand
Rocks vs water = water

In any case away from people.
Air siren may help a bit.. maybe..

www.ebay.com.au/itm/271968017150

[Chris Wheeler]

Good ideas. My friend and I always fly as a two ship, to provide mutual support.

[Chris Wheeler]

I would agree that it would be very disorienting flipping over in water. I fly an F1 Rocket, I think in a forced landing there’s a very good chance of flipping over, even if on land. Unless of course you find a very smooth location. So I carry a military style canopy breaker tool and I’m looking for some device to partially hold my canopy open in the event I’m about to land off airport. Funny, my whole time in the military and airlines, I never worried much about forced landings. But now with my little experimental Rocket, I’m always looking for a potential landing strip.