In reference to HR, Feb 25th

[RedBaron]

Dave's launch descrition perfectly fits what we saw with another pilot:

First of all, Glen and I showed up at the Rock after a muddy Smithburg afternoon. We helped someone on what looked like a brand new U2 launch. Was it Kelvin? I didn't catch his name. Anyway, winds were light and apparently straight in as we moved close to the edge. After a brief gauge of conditions the pilot announced clear and went with an appropriate nose attitude. He immediately got sucked down with a violent nose drop that sent him into an almost vertical dive, his base tube barely missed the grate. It was damn close and I almost dropped one in my pants. He recovered and headed out to the LZ. Karen was there with us and we all didn't really grasp what had just happened there.
I seriously think that grate has lethal potential on the rigth day. Did the club put it there or is it a safety installment for the general public? I for one was never comfortable with it and would love to see it gone sooner than later.

Janni

[Spark]

Dave's launch descrition perfectly fits what we saw with another pilot:

First of all, Glen and I showed up at the Rock after a muddy Smithburg afternoon. We helped someone on what looked like a brand new U2 launch. Was it Kelvin? I didn't catch his name. Anyway, winds were light and apparently straight in as we moved close to the edge. After a brief gauge of conditions the pilot announced clear and went with an appropriate nose attitude. He immediately got sucked down with a violent nose drop that sent him into an almost vertical dive, his base tube barely missed the grate. It was damn close and I almost dropped one in my pants. He recovered and headed out to the LZ. Karen was there with us and we all didn't really grasp what had just happened there.
I seriously think that grate has lethal potential on the rigth day. Did the club put it there or is it a safety installment for the general public? I for one was never comfortable with it and would love to see it gone sooner than later.

Janni

Some of the older-timers can tell you more about the grate. The grate is for front-wire launch assistance. I've stood on it as nose-wireman more than once. I like it and hope we keep it. I've used it during tandem launches as a 'last step' I love to jump down on it.

Anyone who screws up enough to hit that platform on launch would probably manage to hit something else (tree or rock).

my twocents

'Spark

[Danny Brotto]

In the old days, the nose man platform was often used. The new ramp (yes, it's the 4th installment or so of a HG structure there) is not so kind to strong winds that we would fly in the past; the nose man position is not often utilized.

We had considered cutting the platform away for the concerns Janni expressed. The thinking for not cutting it away was to protect the folks who walk up to the edge and jump down on it. Imagine someone walking up to the edge and jumping onto a platform that was not there.

I've seen lots of "tight" launches at HR but I've never seen nor heard of anyone hitting the nose man platform but I've seen plenty of people leap before looking.

Danny Brotto


Danny Brotto

[Matthew]

Hasn't the grate actualy saved a few lives by catching a wire??? I've heard a few stories where this has happened. Don't wann mention names.


Matthew

[brianvh]

Yep, I know of at least one guy being saved by it, think I heard about a second. Both times they were making less than stellar judgement calls, but that doesn't mean they deserved to go over the edge unprepared. Neither do the grate jumpers. On balance I'd say it's best to leave it. I'd rather have it there if I slip on a snowy windy day. This of course is based on rather limited statistics but I doubt anyone wants to make a double blind study of it.