Take-offs and tea-cups
 

Since this is a serious forum, I thought I'd seek some professional advice on one aspect of flying that has caused me a lot of grief over the years.
What is the best technique for taking-off without causing your cup of tea to spill everywhere? Grass strips are a pig for this - especially when I haven't got a passenger to hold it for me. I usually end up with tea everywhere just clutching the saucer.... :rolleyes:

PS I take milk and two sugars and I'm not prepared to change that to solve the problem.

I appreciate that this is not totally applicable if you are strictly a cup and saucer man, but most of the FBO shops in america sell wide-based mugs with narrow openings at the top. These are proof against most in-flight manoeuvres without spilling.

If you aren't passing through the USA in the near future, variations can be bought at a good chandlers, since yachties have a similar difficulty.

I have to say though, that putting milk and sugar into a delicate oriental beverage is a pretty dastardly thing to do under any circumstances.

G

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...putting milk and sugar into a delicate oriental beverage is a pretty dastardly thing to do under any circumstances.

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Here here m'lord!

LOC :)

you could use one of those Kiddy cups you will see stuck in the face of innumerable kids in pushchairs, the ones which have a lid with a sort of spout on it. My Daughter bought me a grown up version at great expense to use in the workshop. It is a stainless steel vacuum flask construction with a plastic lid with a small slot in it. I think she bought it in a mountaineering shop.
A cup and saucer, presumably with a spoon is a bad idea. Think of the lose article hazard. You should give up the milk and sugar too. Spill that lot over anything electronic and you have to buy a new one. Pure tea you may be able to wash out. Same goes for Gin and Tonic. Leave out the tonic and lemon.

Mike W.

I'm told that if you pull out the carb-heat and bring the throttle back a bit, you can balance the saucer between them. Best place for the spoon is wedged in the slot where the trimmer sticks out.

On the AA-5 you can hang a half-full cup from the flap lever without spilling too much, as long as you make all your turns to the left.

Oh for a trolly-dolly. :)

I'd heard that too. The thing I can't figure out is whether it's Coriolis force or skidding in the turn which causes the olive to fly out of my Martini every time I turn final. An aged ATPL I once met assured me that I wouldn't have this problem if I stuck to lemon twists, but I'm a stickler for authenticity so that won't work.

I know you are looking for daft replies but if you REALLY want a cuppa while flying, try the big flat bottomed plastic mugs which have sealed tops on them. I have used one for years. Great fun until you get to about 2 hours aloft! Now, if you want to know what to do with your big flat bottomed plastic mug next ...... http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif

Taking off without spilling your cuppa? Wimps!

Real pilots pour iced tea whilst rolling their Aero-Commanders through 360. I've seen Bob Hoover do it on film and it's awesome!(So's Bob!)

Those who achieve this feat without spillage may then proceed to the next level...repeating the performance with both engines shut down.

Submit film or video evidence to your nearest civil aviation authority and collect your prize!

Try holding the saucer and cup, that way the cup can't go flying so easily, or you could try some velcro to hold the cup to the saucer if you don't want to hold them.

If this really dosn't appeal you could try just flying to tarmac strips that way you would hit any nasty bumps on take off.

I find that the "Camelpacks" available here in the US are the best option.

Increased capacity meaning longer endurance!

No spilt Martini whilst looping in a Cherokee.

Shaken, not stirred.

I have just 2 things to say.

Don't drink and fly - you'll spill the beer, and think of the weight and balance element of the case of beer on the back seat.

Buy an Airbus, they come with 3 free cup holders up front and a handy table for eating your lunch on. Only problem then is when you get into moderate or severe turbulence, if you have a full cup of coffee you can pretty much guarantee that by the time the turbulence stops you will only have half a cup of coffee and some soggy manuals/maps/flight plan.
However, I have found a solution. Always have a spare cup with every cup of coffee. When the turbulence starts, when at its light phase, pour half the cup of coffee into the spare cup whilst balancing the cups between your legs (needs table put away first). Then hold one cup in each hand. This works really well right up to the point where you hit the really severe turbulence. At the point where the loud noise goes off and the autopilot light flashes at you, you probably should call a flight attendant as when that loud noise goes off it means no-one is flying the aeroplane. In severe turbulence this can really spoil your day.


PS. You are obvious not a real serious pilot if you drink tea with mile and sugar and in a cup with a saucer. Real pilots only use mugs and always drink coffee.

Roly Falk used to barrel roll Vulcans with his balanced on the coaming. It's all to do with keeping the ball in the middle

Perhaps you have not got the right trim set?

Find what that is and ever after you will only need to use your feet.

End of problem.

JF

PS This is also a better technique for all night take-offs. Stops you crashing through moving the controls to the wrong place after thinking you can see something.

JF thank you for the tip, but I'm not too impressed.

I tried just using my feet but I got a bit cramped and couldn't see the ASI or VSI. Also, the mud from my wellies made a real mess of the yoke. http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/cool.gif

Sorry – I was just thinking of the thick sods who fly with their feet on the floor.

I presume your day job as a gynaecologist influenced you into trying that?

I'm going out now.