Farmer_Dave Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Well I did promise to divulge the bad news aswell as the good, to keep things realistic. I wish I could show you a photo here but dont seem to have the skills to move one across from my hard drive. Had the Flat -Top almost 2 years now 120 hours use and , up to now, £5 in repair cost, in 2 small broken bolts and 2 more I replaced before they broke, so say £ 5 a year. Until yesterday.! Pretty thermic midday so was up circling with a buzzard to show me the way. I knew the wind was light and switchy (180 degrees infact) so was watching the sock, avidly on my approach to land. Plumped to keep her running, incase I had to make a late save (powered landing) and I did. Pulled off a beauty almost full power as I felt a strong sink at between 10 and 15 feet. Landed on my feet no probs but didn't kill the motor quick enough. Prop found a line, on tickover and wound it in nice and tight, straight over the famous flat bit at the top of my cage. The rest is history. I laughed to myself and thought that's probably brought my repair cost up to £ 70 a year. I think the top centre is about 120 quid. I wasn't wearing gloves so there was no excuse for not killing it dead. I was just late by a fraction. Doh. Lesson there somewhere ! DG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Pants. Sorry to hear your poo news dude. SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 the wing was due for a check any way dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 Thanks Simon On reflection I think the ability to "multi-task" would've helped. Hitting the button whilst breathing a sigh of relief. I t wasn't that bad though, or I wouldn't have gone up. It's still flyable but the kevlar lines are slack now so it would be possible to reach through to the prop with a hand DG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Sorry to hear of your mishap Dave. I know I've been there myself but I don't gain any pleasure from hearing anyone else has bent their machine. Any chanch you can straighten it yourself Cheers, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted March 29, 2010 Author Share Posted March 29, 2010 Not a chance Alan. It's 6061 tempered aluminium. Very thin and creased now. It'll just split when I try and you'd never get the frame out to the point where the lines are tight enough to do there job. It's a really good strong frame but when Bill brought it over from the states he did say the only way I'd bend it is by wrapping a line tight with the prop giving a force of up to 10 tons per square inch. Thanks Pete B ! Yeah probably time. Ought to get a checkup from the neck up too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 We all keep learning Dave, its when we stop learning from things like this that its time to give up. Just another little obstacle that life throws at us now and then just to remind us that we can still get it wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norbertflyer Posted March 29, 2010 Share Posted March 29, 2010 Dave, How much do you think having the prop sticking out of the back of the FT cage contributed to the line being caught? Richard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 Not a great deal Richard. Pilot error was first in line this time. I've seen a PAP ross 125 swallow a break line and the prop is within the frame on that one. That was a free wheeling prop with engine at idle too. Broke mateys finger against the cage too. I suspect a prop that's well back from the cage, in theory, is more likely to wrap a line though. Disadvantages....props closer to cages get broken more and fingers can reach them easier through the netting Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longwing Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Hard luck Dave. Kudos for posting the bad news as well as the good. How long will it take to get a replacement? Are any held in this country? Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 I recon that if the top was not flat, the line would have slipped around the cage. ;-) SW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted March 30, 2010 Author Share Posted March 30, 2010 That's a good thought Si. It did bend easier being flat. I did the same on a rounded section but got away with it last year. Hey maybe your engine off landing might be an idea ! Nick None here but dont take long to arrive. And thanks for the comment. Always best to share info so others can benefit. Not that many will learn a great deal from moi DG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outkast Posted March 30, 2010 Share Posted March 30, 2010 Sory to hear that mate, still you walked away wiser, wings can be repaired as can motors, so as long as you health aint suffered its a result. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longwing Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 Hey Dave, Have you got your cage repaired and back flying again?....Or was it not that bad? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted April 26, 2010 Author Share Posted April 26, 2010 Hey nice to here from you Nick. I have been flying since with no worries. Time to dig deep into the wallet and buy a new section though. Keep it looking tidy. Lets go up together soon. Tonight would've been great but I went cycling instead. Off for a shower now. ring me in advance if you're itching to fly. Like to try your wing ! Have a go with my set up too if you want. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longwing Posted April 26, 2010 Share Posted April 26, 2010 Yep....lets do that. It was nice and smooth up there tonight, there was a big fire up on the common last week and I wanted to see the damage, it was interesting to see the difference between a bush fire and the controlled swailing done earlier in the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 Do you remember how bad the fires were when the do gooders stopped the swailing Nick ? Good thing they re-introduced it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longwing Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Not much looks better than a well managed grouse moor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmer_Dave Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 Or a nicely trimmed Beaver ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
longwing Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Fair comment.......the beaver wins!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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