Anybody see this?
http://news.yahoo.com/pilot-rescued-...193229765.html
Guy went down in Lake Huron and spent 17 hours treading water. I would have been toast. A rescue swimmer posted to make a floatation device by tying your pants legs together. Sounds good. Anyone ever tried this?
They taught us that technique in the Navy. You tie your pant legs off or anything you have. Cup the air with your hand and slap down forcing the air into the compartment. Cotton leaks so it isn't super effective, but it did work better than nothing. Coveralls are ideal for this technique.
Glad to hear he was OK.
Fast or slow, always low, freedom of flight soothes the soul.
Richard is right. Basic training in the USN taught us that. Tie knots in your shirt sleeves as well. Anything you had that could hold air even though it might be for a short duration was better than nothing and just might keep you alive long enough to be pulled out. Not sure why that guy would be flying over Huron and not at least have an inflatable vest on board. He was Lucky for sure.
Wow, what a story! That's one lucky guy.
My friend Jeremy laughs at me when I put on my sterns inflatable, reflective vest and wear a beacon when we fly out over Penobscot Bay to the islands offshore the coast of Maine. I think I can stand the laughter.....
Saw the guy on TV this morning, he said he flew 4 hours in his 150 and had 29 minutes of fuel left to fly over lake Superior.
Must have had some faith in his gas tankOriginally Posted by Tim
Saw the guy on TV this morning, he said he flew 4 hours in his 150 and had 29 minutes of fuel left to fly over lake Superior.
Piper J-5A C-90 N40877
J-5 Project Pictures
Well folks,I'm just plain fed up with this kind of crap that continues to happen in aviation.If it isn't the TFR busters it's the folks who get into a situation and have no survival equip.or way to summon help. Hmmmm,lets fly across a BIG lake and not wear a floatation device...GENIUS !! $329 for a PLB....who needs one,I'll just tread water for 17 HOURS.YEAH THAT'S THE TICKET!! Then I'll go on TV and exhibit my stupidity and tell everyone how I did it.
Sorry,I'm not interested.I would rather you tell me the mistakes you made and what you have learned so others will too. Too bad the lead in line on GMA wasn't," And up next,we'll talk to a man who is lucky to be alive even though he was a Dumb Ass".
Sorry if I expect a pilot to actually be a "Pilot in ciommand" and properly prepare for such a flight. Atleast he was alone and didn't kill anyone due to his stupidity.....this time.....Herman ( PLB,Spot,cell,survival vest on every flight )
JP......thanks for your little piece of sanity.Bravo.....Herman.
That's right HATIN11R.........When it comes to survival equipment it is "Better to have and not need, than to need and not have!"
Surface water temp in Lake Huron is around 70+ degrees this year.
(Lake Superior would have been a different story. Current surface temps out in the main lake are between 48 and 58 degrees.)
At one time I thought I was perfect too and it would never happen to me.I hope we never read about you screwing up.
Tim
Tim......that is not what I'm saying here. I'm not perfect as none of us are.However,WE as pilots MUST take due diligence to ensure our safety and survival in the event of an incident. With the wide availibility of life jackets/vests,PLB's,Spot etc., etc. at a very reasonable price there is no excuse for us to have these kind of stories in the news.At one time I thought I was perfect too and it would never happen to me.
Now it is different when the fore mentioned equip.still doesn't lead to a successful outcome,but those are extremely rare.Bottom line lets stop passing the buck and take responsibility for our actions/inactions.If you still think I'm trying to be perfect than so be it.My hope is this thread will help others to consider their next flight.Like you said,"it would never happen to me".
And as far as you reading about me,you can already.In 1990 I had a engine failure while getting flight following with Atlanta Center. ( myairplane.com,BF investigation,N4716L ) I did my job and they did theirs. They vectored a Cessna to my location in a field and all ended well.Had I not been with them I could have been S.O.L if I balled it up.
So if I am in the "big one" atleast I will have all the safety precautions to give me the best chances to fly another day.If not,my number was up.Either way I take PIC seriously and my passengers deserve no less.......Herman.
Last edited by HATIN11R; 07-31-2011 at 07:09 AM.
Speaking of this, did anyone notice that in the photos the flaps and slats are retracted? Has anybody read anything about events leading up to the crash? I can't believe they would do a "no flap" approach in WX to a wet runway. Approach speed would have been well in excess of 210 Knots. On the other hand I doubt they did an "after landing" check list.
Bob D
I dunno, it seemed like alittle common sense was lacking in this case for sure. I grew up in Alaska and was a boy scout so I love gear. Usually carry too much, but im always ready. Trying to cross with 30 minutes of fuel? Not good...
Two drowned when a J-3 went in at Lake Winnebego at Oshkosh last week. About a half mile from shore in a lake 20 feet deep. When you fly over a body of water further than you can glide it would probably be prudent to exercise due caution and care---otherwise I guess it would be a good idea to go the long way.
Marine Corps Aviation since 1966
Good to high light the safety issue. I recently flew to Port Aransas, Mustang beach airport. I remember telling Carol we should have brought the vest and the life raft ,,, as we flew the long way around the bay,,,,,,,,,,,
Jay Pratt
Paul Revere, Borrowed Horse, & Shooter
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