scattering ashes from SGS 2-33

[thing73]

We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
problematic if not performed correctly. Any ideas about using the
back window of a SGS 2-33???

[Markus Graeber]

I wasn't involved myself but we did just that at the Albuquerque
Soaring Club with our 2-33 and the ashes of Al Santilli. Contact our
president Bob Hudson, he'll be able to fill you in on the details:
http://abqsoaring.org/contacts.php

Markus Graeber

On May 7, 6:51*am, thing73 > wrote:
> We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
> recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
> problematic if not performed correctly. *Any ideas about using the
> back window of a SGS 2-33???

[[email protected]]

On May 7, 7:51*am, thing73 > wrote:
> We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
> recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
> problematic if not performed correctly. *Any ideas about using the
> back window of a SGS 2-33???

Hold container as far behind window as can be reached, and away about
a foot or so.
Don't even think about the door!
UH

[Tony[_5_]]

I've never done this but have read a lot of accounts of people
scattering ashes in airplanes. Some of them end well and others end
with a lot of ashes in the cockpit and somebodies remains getting
pulled into the vacuum cleaner.

One thing i've heard is to trail a long hose out the window, and then
insert the hose into the bag of ashes. the airflow over the trailing
hose causes a suction which pulls the ashes out of the bag.

You just really want to avoid letting them go too close to the opening
in the fuselage so that they get sucked back inside, like Hank said.

[vontresc]

On May 7, 7:45*am, Tony > wrote:
> I've never done this but have read a lot of accounts of people
> scattering ashes in airplanes. Some of them end well and others end
> with a lot of ashes in the cockpit and somebodies remains getting
> pulled into the vacuum cleaner.
>
> One thing i've heard is to trail a long hose out the window, and then
> insert the hose into the bag of ashes. *the airflow over the trailing
> hose causes a suction which pulls the ashes out of the bag.
>
> You just really want to avoid letting them go too close to the opening
> in the fuselage so that they get sucked back inside, like Hank said.

Also a test flight to prove out your contraption is helpful. You don't
want to end up with a plane full of ashes as Tony mentioned.

Pete

[PK]

On May 7, 4:51*am, thing73 > wrote:
> We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
> recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
> problematic if not performed correctly. *Any ideas about using the
> back window of a SGS 2-33???

I have performed this honor for a good friend of mine a few years ago.
But we did this from a Blanik L13 with the help of his widow.I am sure
this could be done similarly with a 2-33.
I found a cardboard tube, about 3" diameter, 18" long. Plugged the
front end. Filled it with the remains than plugged the rear end with a
string attached to the back lid, secured with a washer. We than hung
this contraption to the side of the fusalage at a 45 degree angle
down, attached to the canopy hinge (string again) and taping it
secure to the side of the fusalage.
The string got fed through the went and once airborne, she pulled the
string, opening the lid and the remains went down and out. When we
landed, there were a little bit left in the tube.
If I had to do it again,I would also have the front lid removable, so
all could just blow out. 6PK

[Ralph Jones[_2_]]

On Fri, 7 May 2010 04:51:41 -0700 (PDT), thing73 >
wrote:

>We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
>recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
>problematic if not performed correctly. Any ideas about using the
>back window of a SGS 2-33???

Number one caution: No matter what method you select, try it out in
private with ashes from your grill! This operation is VERY easy to
screw up, and emotionally painful to the family if it blows up on
you.

Grill ashes will be somewhat less forgiving of error than human
cremains will. If you look at the aircraft after the test, and you
can't tell it just did an ash drop, you're good to go.

rj

[Dave Newill]

On May 7, 1:45*pm, Ralph Jones > wrote:
> On Fri, 7 May 2010 04:51:41 -0700 (PDT), thing73 >
> wrote:
>
> >We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
> >recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
> >problematic if not performed correctly. *Any ideas about using the
> >back window of a SGS 2-33???
>
> Number one caution: No matter what method you select, try it out in
> private with ashes from your grill! This operation is VERY easy to
> screw up, and emotionally painful to the family *if it blows up on
> you.
>
> Grill ashes will be somewhat less forgiving of error than human
> cremains will. If you look at the aircraft after the test, and you
> can't tell it just did an ash drop, you're good to go.
>
> rj

I agree - was personally involved in one of these - small paper bag of
ashes on a string out the back window of the 2-33. A quick jerk on the
string was supposed to rip the bag open - result was a puff of ash -
ashes in the cockpit and a grimy grey streak down the side of an
orange plane - we landed, saw the mess and made sure the photos of
pilots and relatives were on the clean side of the plane!

PRACTICE FIRST! ( Then tell us how it went so we can put it into our
clubs operations books for that once in five years call to do the
same!)

[vaughn[_3_]]

"Dave Newill" > wrote in message
...
> result was a puff of ash -
>ashes in the cockpit and a grimy grey streak down the side of an
>orange plane - we landed, saw the mess and made sure the photos of
>pilots and relatives were on the clean side of the plane!

>PRACTICE FIRST! ( Then tell us how it went so we can put it into our
>clubs operations books for that once in five years call to do the
>same!)

I have done this three times, but never from a glider. A slip keeps the ashes
away from the side of the plane and seems to create a bit of a vacuum that sucks
the ashes away from you. I have always managed without any special rigs. I
just trickle the ashes out the window from the plastic bag they came in. Keep
the family as far from the operation as possible. If necessary, gently explain
to them why. There are just too many things that can go wrong. I present them
with a sectional chart with the time and place marked. There will be a little
metal ID tag either in with the ashes, or perhaps on the bag tie. Save it for
the family.

Vaughn

[Andy[_1_]]

On May 7, 4:51*am, thing73 > wrote:
> We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
> recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
> problematic if not performed correctly. *Any ideas about using the
> back window of a SGS 2-33???

Maybe the first thing to ask is whether they wish all of the remains
to be dropped from the 2-33. When a local club member was killed in a
glider accident, several of his fellow racing pilots were each given a
small container (35mm film can) to take on a cross country flight.
Each pilot enjoyed the flight and said good bye in his own way before
starting final glide home.

It may be a lot easier to drop a token sample.

Andy

[sisu1a]

> Maybe the first thing to ask is whether they wish all of the
remains
> to be dropped from the 2-33. *When a local club member was killed in a
> glider accident, several of his fellow racing pilots were each given a
> small container (35mm film can) to take on a cross country flight.
> Each pilot enjoyed the flight and said good bye in his own way before
> starting final glide home.


I have no recommendations as to hardware or procedure (although a can-
on-a-stick with a string released lid approach comes to mind...), but
remember being told about the 'sending off' of Irv Culver out of the
back of a TG-2 I believe. He was released in a thermal and they
visibly continued to climb together till the glider broke off, leaving
Irv to his thermal.

I also really like the idea of the X/C fleet deploying on a collective
scattering mission though. What a thoughtful community.

-Paul

[Brian Whatcott]

thing73 wrote:
> We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
> recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
> problematic if not performed correctly. Any ideas about using the
> back window of a SGS 2-33???

Hmmm...I wasn't thrilled by the proposals responding to your request.
Not enough detail to be sure-fire, seemingly.

The topic has arisen before, no doubt.

I seem to recall reading of one or two methods which seemed to be
in the area of 'can do without a black face...'
I may have misremembered, but one seemed to involve an inlet and an
outlet tube sealed into an ashes bottle (of the thin plastic soda bottle
kind), and both tubes pinched off with a flexible pipe lab clip.
With the outlet tube flying well aft of the window aperture, and the
inlet tube opening into the airstream, venturi style, the outlet clip
could be opened, and as necessary, the inlet pipe could be opened too,
to flush the remnants.

Brian W

[Ed]

On Sun, 09 May 2010 13:47:10 -0500, brian whatcott
> wrote:

>thing73 wrote:
>> We have a request from a family member to scatter ashes from a
>> recently deceased member. I know this type of operation can be
>> problematic if not performed correctly. Any ideas about using the
>> back window of a SGS 2-33???
>
>Hmmm...I wasn't thrilled by the proposals responding to your request.
>Not enough detail to be sure-fire, seemingly.
>
>The topic has arisen before, no doubt.
>
>I seem to recall reading of one or two methods which seemed to be
>in the area of 'can do without a black face...'
>I may have misremembered, but one seemed to involve an inlet and an
>outlet tube sealed into an ashes bottle (of the thin plastic soda bottle
>kind), and both tubes pinched off with a flexible pipe lab clip.
>With the outlet tube flying well aft of the window aperture, and the
>inlet tube opening into the airstream, venturi style, the outlet clip
>could be opened, and as necessary, the inlet pipe could be opened too,
>to flush the remnants.
>
>Brian W

Are you scattering them over land or sea. When at sea it has been my
experience that putting the ashes in a paper bag and twisting the top
serves the problem of getting the ashes away from the plane, the sea
will scatter them as soon as it hits the water. On land it still might
work, but i can't guarantee that.

[Brian Whatcott]

Ed wrote:
> /snip/ When at sea it has been my
> experience that putting the ashes in a paper bag and twisting the top
> serves the problem of getting the ashes away from the plane, the sea
> will scatter them as soon as it hits the water. On land it still might
> work, but i can't guarantee that.


Hmm...releasing an intact paper bag does not exactly constitute
'scattering' does it? But I am an enthusiast for 'simplicate and add
lightness' and that method certainly qualifies in that respect.

Brian W

[Burt Compton - Marfa]

My pal and I worked up a simple "pant leg" system, but we had to test
it first.

Went to the local second-hand / thrift store and bought an old pair of
long pants of a thin material.
Cut off one long pant leg then tied a knot in the smaller end.
Bought some bags of corn meal, which has a similar consistency to
ashes.
Poured some of the corn meal into pant leg, rolled up the pant leg.
Jumped into my van and drove fast down an empty stretch of highway to
duplicate the intended airspeed.
My pal in the right passenger seat held tight to the knotted end of
the rolled up pant leg, placed it just outside the truck window and
with his other hand let go of the rolled up end. With the unrolled
open end of the pant leg well behind the open window the corn meal
flowed out nicely and not back into the window.
Practiced this process several times with consistent results (until we
ran out of corn meal.)

For the flight, I briefed that I would concentrate 100% on flying, and
my pal would take care of the dispersal
Safety first, as it is not yet my time to be scattered on a mountain
top.

Note also that there are some state laws regarding dispersal of
ashes.

[vaughn[_3_]]

"Burt Compton - Marfa" > wrote in message
...
>
> Note also that there are some state laws regarding dispersal of
> ashes.

Which is one of the reasons why you always remove the metal ID tag from the
ashes before disposal. ;-)

Vaughn

[Morgans[_2_]]

"brian whatcott" > wrote

> Hmm...releasing an intact paper bag does not exactly constitute
> 'scattering' does it? But I am an enthusiast for 'simplicate and add
> lightness' and that method certainly qualifies in that respect.

I have never tried to release ashes in flight, but I know what I would
build, if I were to do so.

Let me say that I am very familiar with ashes, as I am the one that interns
ashes in the columbarium wall at my church.

I would build a 3" PVC drain pipe about 10 inches long (should be about
right to hold the volume I work with) and make a couple plate aluminum lids
for each end on a hinge on one side and a latch on the other. The lids
would be spring loaded to pop open when the latches release. The latches
could have a string connecting the two releases, and a release string would
pull on the middle of the string between the releases. Duct tape should
hold the container fine, and it could be mounted well behind the cockpit
with the string running to the vent window. By releasing both ends, the
wind would quickly release the contents and sweep it clean out the back.
--
Jim in NC