Andes accident

[Juanman]

Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. An
intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. There was a
note saying: "I'm fine. I'm going down river". He has been found
this morning in good shape! Missing Chileans, whether miners or
glider pilots are quite lucky...

http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuentran-vivo-a-piloto-de-planeador-que-estaba-desaparecido-en-quebradas-de.shtml

[jcarlyle]

He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
case.

-John

On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
> Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. An
> intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. There was a
> note saying: "I'm fine. I'm going down river". He has been found
> this morning in good shape! Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent...

[Mike the Strike]

On Nov 24, 8:09*am, jcarlyle > wrote:
> He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
> case.
>
> -John
>
> On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
>
> > Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> > Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
> > intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> > wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
> > note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
> > this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> > glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> >http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent...

Courtesy of Google Translate:

The Air Rescue Service Air Force of Chile, along with firefighters and
police found alive Auil José Petermann (46), glider pilot who
disappeared in the Putaendo streams, emerging from the Glider Club
Vitacura close to 13.00 Sunday

The information was confirmed by the air force commander, Rodrigo
Ceballos and now José Auil Petermann was transferred to the Clínica
Las Condes. The aircraft was located 60 km north of the hill the
Copin, sector Los Pelambres. Auil, is a pilot with nine years
experience and 730 hours of flight.

Through his twitter account, the Vice President, Rodrigo Hinzpeter,
said: "We found alive José Auil, glider pilot missing since Sunday.
Congratulations to Joseph for his rescuers and resistance!".

Yep, sounds like a good avert for SPOT or a similar device.

Mike

[Mark Jardini]

So how is it he went down?

Mark

[Juanman]

Too early to tell, but the Andes are tricky terrain to fly. You have
to fly close to the mountains to stay in lift.


On Nov 24, 10:51*am, Mark Jardini > wrote:
> So how is it he went down?
>
> Mark

[Brad[_2_]]

On Nov 24, 7:51*am, Mark Jardini > wrote:
> So how is it he went down?
>
> Mark

read "the beautiful mountain and her sinister trap" by Harry Combs.

Brad

[Juanman]

Latest news:

José Auil Petermann (46), the pilot of plane that was found this
morning is "in excellent condition," according to director of medical
services at Clinica Las Condes, May Chomalí. Petermann Auil came to
the facilities this morning and was visited by a delegation from the
Chilean Air Force.

"He is in excellent condition, it is clear that his physical condition
helped him survive these days that he was alone, he walked a lot and
is very emotionally affected by what happened, no traumatic injuries,
made a good landing and we're seeing that these days with no food, no
shelter, could have affected his metabolic status, "said Chomalí.

Last night the pilot was able to eat food when he met two horsemen. He
drank water. "He knows how to survive adversity by virtue of his being
a well-trained pilot," said the professional.

RESCUE
The one who made contact with Auil Petermann was a former officer of
the air force working in a private helicopter he was piloting. At
10.00 he saw the aircraft, 10.30 he landed, saw the note saying he was
downstream and 15 minutes later they were able to track him as he
walked in the Argentine sector, specifically between Cerro negro on
the Chilean side and the Mercedario river in Argentina.

Through his twitter account, the Vice President, Rodrigo Hinzpeter,
said: "We found José Auil alive, the glider pilot missing since
Sunday. Congratulations to the rescuers and Jose for his resistance!".

[Juanman]

Another news piece on the Chilean pilot. In the photo the Discus BT
has the engine extended. I wonder if it didn't start... Or the
downdrafts were too strong for the engine.

http://diario.latercera.com/2010/11/25/01/contenido/pais/31-45808-9-ex-companero-de-curso-rescata-a-piloto-de-planeador-extraviado.shtml

FORMER CLASSMATE RESCUES LOST GLIDER PILOT

José Auil Petermann walked 15 km. and spent 48 hours without food
after an emergency landing.

"He was walking. There was no place to land and I had to lift him with
the helicopter, 'barely'. I placed a ski on the ground and he
jumped." That's how former Air Force officer Eduardo Boisset Fach
(47) yesterday remembered the moment when he rescued the glider pilot
who was missing since Sunday afternoon in the precordillera area of
Putaendo.

The rescuer was not there by chance. He had been a classmate of the
missing pilot, Jose Auil Petermann (46), at the Craighouse School, and
joined the search on Monday for the aircraft, after a mutual friend
asked him to support the searches.

So at 9:30am yesterday,(Wednesday) Boisset and two volunteer firemen
took off in a civilian helicopter from the town of Putaendo to the
lake Copin sector, where the last contact with the pilot had been
registered. While flying over the area, another aircraft that
supported the search informed them that they had seen the Schempp-
Hirth, Discus BT glider, 60 km north of Cerro El Copin, in the Los
Pelambres sector. It was 10:00am and the rescue leaders Boisset told
him to move to the area and descend.

"He was first located by a plane that was flying over and gave me the
position. He obviously couldn't land there. I landed, I saw the
glider, but didn't find the pilot," recalls the former officer. The
glider was between Cerro Negro and Cerro del Mercedario, besides the
river of the same name. It showed damage to the tail, but the cabin
was intact, but empty.

According to the rescuer, he overflew the sector for a while and then
descended again to inspect the ship. "I started down the river to look
for him but couldn't find him. And I started wondering. I returned by
helicopter and began look at the glider, to see if he had left a
note," recalled Boisset.

Then, in the ship's fuselage, next to the cabin, he found a message
written by Auil. It said: "I'm OK. I fell at 16.30pm. I'm going
downstream. I left at 18.15pm." (Sunday)

Boisset decided to board the helicopter and fly downstream (in that
area, the river flows east). After 10 kilometers, already in Argentine
territory, he spotted the dentist walking in a rocky area. Since he
couldn't land in that area, Boisset chose to bring the helicopter as
close as possible so that Auil could jump inside.

The pilot reported the rescue and then proceeded to drop off the
firefighters in Putaendo. From there he flew to the Las Condes
clinic, so that Auil could undergo a checkup. At that time, his wife,
Maite Rodriguez, already knew he was safe and sound.

BREAD, WATER AND ONION

Auil had been 48 hours without eating and walked 15 kilometers.

After being rescued he said that the weather conditions he faced on
Sunday forced the experienced glider pilot from the Vitacura glider
club into an emergency landing in the Andean foothills. He then
followed the aviation protocols: leave a message and go seek help.

He had food and water for at least 24 hours and along the way he met
with two farm workers who gave him food and water. According to his
wife, Maite Rodriguez, Auil "has plenty of survival experience and
used all the tools he had available. He consumed bread, water and
onion." (the farm workers gave him water and onion).

In the clinic, Auil told medical staff that as the hours passed and no
help came, he faced moments of weakness. "He fought against evil
thoughts. He sang and recited, and I think he has given us a very good
example of what the struggle for survival can be," said Dr. May
Chomalí, Director of Medical Services at the Clinica Las Condes.

Isabel, Auil's sister, said "people's energy and God's help,"
accompanied the pilot.

[Ramy]

On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle > wrote:
> He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
> case.
>
> -John
>
> On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> > Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
> > intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> > wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
> > note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
> > this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> > glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> >http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.

Ramy

[tstock]

On Nov 29, 2:52*am, Ramy > wrote:
> On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
> > case.
>
> > -John
>
> > On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
>
> > > Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> > > Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
> > > intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> > > wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
> > > note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
> > > this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> > > glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> > >http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent....Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
> rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
> bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
> more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
> that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.
>
> Ramy

Just curious, how could the spot have prevented the cost of the
rescue? Wouldnt they have sent rescue crew anyway?

Thanks
Tom

[Westbender]

On Dec 6, 12:22*pm, tstock > wrote:
> On Nov 29, 2:52*am, Ramy > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle > wrote:
>
> > > He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
> > > case.
>
> > > -John
>
> > > On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
>
> > > > Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> > > > Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
> > > > intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> > > > wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
> > > > note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
> > > > this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> > > > glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> > > >http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent...quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
> > rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
> > bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
> > more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
> > that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.
>
> > Ramy
>
> Just curious, how could the spot have prevented the cost of the
> rescue? *Wouldnt they have sent rescue crew anyway?
>
> Thanks
> Tom- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

That's easy. A single aircraft could have been dispatched to the exact
location. They would not have had multiple aircraft flying search
patterns. A huge savings in man-hours, equipment, fuel, etc.

[Grider Pirate]

On Dec 6, 11:12*am, Westbender > wrote:
> On Dec 6, 12:22*pm, tstock > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 29, 2:52*am, Ramy > wrote:
>
> > > On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle > wrote:
>
> > > > He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
> > > > case.
>
> > > > -John
>
> > > > On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
>
> > > > > Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> > > > > Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
> > > > > intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> > > > > wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
> > > > > note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
> > > > > this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> > > > > glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> > > > >http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent...text -
>
> > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
> > > rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
> > > bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
> > > more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
> > > that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.
>
> > > Ramy
>
> > Just curious, how could the spot have prevented the cost of the
> > rescue? *Wouldnt they have sent rescue crew anyway?
>
> > Thanks
> > Tom- Hide quoted text -
>
> > - Show quoted text -
>
> That's easy. A single aircraft could have been dispatched to the exact
> location. They would not have had multiple aircraft flying search
> patterns. A huge savings in man-hours, equipment, fuel, etc.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Spot also offers a form of 'rescue insurance' that covers up to
$100,000.00 for $12.95/year.

[Ramy]

On Dec 6, 10:22*am, tstock > wrote:
> On Nov 29, 2:52*am, Ramy > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 24, 7:09*am, jcarlyle > wrote:
>
> > > He was lucky! Sounds like he should consider buying a PLB, just in
> > > case.
>
> > > -John
>
> > > On Nov 24, 10:02 am, Juanman > wrote:
>
> > > > Jose Auil, a pilot flying a Discus BT out of the Vitacura airport in
> > > > Santiago, Chile, went missing over the Andes on Sunday afternoon. * An
> > > > intensive search was carried out for three days and this morning the
> > > > wreck was found in the mountains, with the cabin intact. *There was a
> > > > note saying: "I'm fine. *I'm going down river". *He has been found
> > > > this morning in good shape! *Missing Chileans, whether miners or
> > > > glider pilots are quite lucky...
>
> > > >http://www.latercera.com/noticia/portada/2010/11/653-309947-9-encuent...quoted text -
>
> > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > Glad they found the pilot well and alive. I am curious how much his
> > rescue cost vs the $150 cost of a Spot and who is going to pay the
> > bill. Not to mention the risk invloved in a rescue operation. Couple
> > more days and it would have been his life vs a $150 Spot. I am puzzled
> > that anyone still flies XC without a Spot or a PLB. Enough said.
>
> > Ramy
>
> Just curious, how could the spot have prevented the cost of the
> rescue? *Wouldnt they have sent rescue crew anyway?
>
> Thanks
> Tom- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Spot can eliminate the "search" from Search and Rescue in most cases.

Ramy

[Walt Connelly]

This presents an interesting question regarding survival training and being at least minimally equipped.

I am a former combat aircrewman and went thru all the USAF aircrew survival schools. Water survival, jungle survival, escape and evasion school, arctic survival and others. The parachute most of us wore had a minimal survival kit within and we wore vests with a rather substantial amount of gear, radio, medical kit, signal panels, flares, knife, gun and the like. A SPOT, a space blanket, firestarter and a few other items would make sense to have and not add much weight. Strong Parachute makes a pocket for my 303 back which can be used to carry a few necessary survival items. It's not what you have in the glider but what you have with you when you hit the ground that counts. You might be able to have a few more items in a pouch in the plane but if you bail that stuff won't be of much use.

Regarding the parachute, I wince when I see most people put on their chute. There have been some good articles in the SSA magazine about proper fit and usage, these deserve to be read and reread. Getting out of a glider out of control would be difficult at best, it's something that needs to be practiced on the ground. Canopy, belts, butt.

Even with the SPOT they might not be able to get to you right away due to weather, etc. We spend lots of time learning to fly, navigate and the like. Perhaps those among us who are serious about flying might consider attending a survival course of some type. Knowledge is the greatest asset when the ship hits the sand.

Walt

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

On 12/7/2010 5:30 AM, Walt Connelly wrote:
> This presents an interesting question regarding survival training and

> Regarding the parachute, I wince when I see most people put on their
> chute. There have been some good articles in the SSA magazine about
> proper fit and usage, these deserve to be read and reread. Getting
> out of a glider out of control would be difficult at best, it's
> something that needs to be practiced on the ground. Canopy, belts,
> butt.
>
> Even with the SPOT they might not be able to get to you right away due
> to weather, etc. We spend lots of time learning to fly, navigate and the
> like. Perhaps those among us who are serious about flying might
> consider attending a survival course of some type. Knowledge is the
> greatest asset when the ship hits the sand.

In 35 years of soaring, I can't ever remember an incident in the USA
where we stood around saying, "if only he'd had some survival gear..."

I carry about 5 lbs of stuff, but have never come close to needing it,
and I've flown all over the country. I know people that have been saved
by their parachute, but not anyone ever needing anything beyond a jacket
and lots of water after landing. Do I just have a poor memory, or is
this an infinitesimal risk?

One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft. I
thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)

[Mike Schumann]

On 12/7/2010 10:10 PM, Eric Greenwell wrote:
> On 12/7/2010 5:30 AM, Walt Connelly wrote:
>> This presents an interesting question regarding survival training and
>
>> Regarding the parachute, I wince when I see most people put on their
>> chute. There have been some good articles in the SSA magazine about
>> proper fit and usage, these deserve to be read and reread. Getting
>> out of a glider out of control would be difficult at best, it's
>> something that needs to be practiced on the ground. Canopy, belts,
>> butt.
>>
>> Even with the SPOT they might not be able to get to you right away due
>> to weather, etc. We spend lots of time learning to fly, navigate and the
>> like. Perhaps those among us who are serious about flying might
>> consider attending a survival course of some type. Knowledge is the
>> greatest asset when the ship hits the sand.
>
> In 35 years of soaring, I can't ever remember an incident in the USA
> where we stood around saying, "if only he'd had some survival gear..."
>
> I carry about 5 lbs of stuff, but have never come close to needing it,
> and I've flown all over the country. I know people that have been saved
> by their parachute, but not anyone ever needing anything beyond a jacket
> and lots of water after landing. Do I just have a poor memory, or is
> this an infinitesimal risk?
>
> One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft. I
> thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
> easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?
>

He left a note with the plane indicating exactly where he was going.
That was probably not a bad plan if he was in good physical condition,
thought he knew where he could find help (downstream), and was unsure of
how long it would take for someone to find the plane.

--
Mike Schumann

[Andy[_1_]]

On Dec 7, 8:10*pm, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
> One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft. I
> thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
> easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?

White glider in snow is probably no easier to spot than a person with
contrasting color clothing but it does provide shelter. If may also
may have disposable bits that would burn making lots of smoke. One
advantage of flying a 15/18m glider. First burn the winglets, then
the outer panels, then the hozizontal. If that didn't attract
attention you'd probably want to die anyway.

Never tried it though and have no idea how hard it would be to get one
burning and keep it burning. The oxygen bottle should help.

Andy

[Ramy]

On Dec 8, 8:03*am, Andy > wrote:
> On Dec 7, 8:10*pm, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
>
> > One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft. I
> > thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
> > easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?
>
> White glider in snow is probably no easier to spot than a person with
> contrasting color clothing but it does provide shelter. *If may also
> may have disposable bits that would burn making lots of smoke. *One
> advantage of flying a 15/18m glider. *First burn the winglets, then
> the outer panels, then the hozizontal. *If that didn't attract
> attention you'd probably want to die anyway.
>
> Never tried it though and have no idea how hard it would be to get one
> burning and keep it burning. The oxygen bottle should help.
>
> Andy

Great ideas, hopefully I will never need to use them...
Still, I rather pay $150 per year for spot service and press the 911/
sos button than start burning my glider...

Ramy

[Grider Pirate]

On Dec 8, 2:41*pm, Ramy > wrote:
> On Dec 8, 8:03*am, Andy > wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Dec 7, 8:10*pm, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
>
> > > One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft.. I
> > > thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
> > > easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?
>
> > White glider in snow is probably no easier to spot than a person with
> > contrasting color clothing but it does provide shelter. *If may also
> > may have disposable bits that would burn making lots of smoke. *One
> > advantage of flying a 15/18m glider. *First burn the winglets, then
> > the outer panels, then the hozizontal. *If that didn't attract
> > attention you'd probably want to die anyway.
>
> > Never tried it though and have no idea how hard it would be to get one
> > burning and keep it burning. The oxygen bottle should help.
>
> > Andy
>
> Great ideas, hopefully I will never need to use them...
> Still, I rather pay $150 per year for spot service and press the 911/
> sos button than start burning my glider...
>
> Ramy- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Hmmmm. If the glider is totally wrecked, then I suppose burning it
wouldn't break your hear any more than it is already. In that
case.... burning the tire will produce an enormous amount of very
black smoke. Do step away from the wreckage though, many of our
wheels are magnesium, and burn spectacularly once ignited!

[Martin Gregorie[_5_]]

On Wed, 08 Dec 2010 08:03:04 -0800, Andy wrote:

> White glider in snow is probably no easier to spot than a person with
> contrasting color clothing but it does provide shelter.
>
The glider is most likely harder to spot than a person in reasonable
colourful clothes.

I remember being in the circuit at Nympsfield in a K-13 behind a Nimbus 3
one year when there was an even 3" layer of snow on the field under a
nice blue sky and a fabulous view of the Welsh mountains. We were
following an all white Nimbus round the circuit and on the base leg the
instructor asked where I was planning to land. When I said "To the left
of the Nimbus" he replied "Good plan". The Nimbus landed as we were
turning onto finals and completely vanished as soon as it stopped
rolling. I said "I've lost the Nimbus" and a comforting "So have I" came
from the back seat, but when we too stopped we were well clear of it.

Lesson learned: white gliders are visible while they're moving but once
they stop you can't see them.


--
martin@ | Martin Gregorie
gregorie. | Essex, UK
org |

[Walt Connelly]

[QUOTE='Eric Greenwell

In 35 years of soaring, I can't ever remember an incident in the USA
where we stood around saying, "if only he'd had some survival gear..."

I carry about 5 lbs of stuff, but have never come close to needing it,
and I've flown all over the country. I know people that have been saved
by their parachute, but not anyone ever needing anything beyond a jacket
and lots of water after landing. Do I just have a poor memory, or is
this an infinitesimal risk?

One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft. I
thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to
email me)[/QUOTE]

While the risk may be infinitesimal, the fact is that to the person who finds himself down in an isolated area the risk is very real. The person in the Andes accident which started this thread is a good example of someone who might have stayed with the plane had he a few simple items like a signal mirror, fire started, space blanket and the like.

Does one always carry "lots of water" in the glider? Perhaps in his bail out kit? A simple mini water purification system would be a good idea. You carry 5 lbs of gear in your glider which indicates that you recognize the potential, no matter how small. Five pounds might be a bit of overkill but you are at least prepared.

Training and preparedness is never a bad thing.

Walt

[Juanman]

On Dec 8, 11:03*am, Andy > wrote:
> On Dec 7, 8:10*pm, Eric Greenwell > wrote:
>
> > One thing surprised me about the Andes incident: he left the aircraft. I
> > thought the standard cautions was "stay with the aircraft, because it's
> > easier to locate". Or is that just a USA thing?
>
> White glider in snow is probably no easier to spot than a person with
> contrasting color clothing but it does provide shelter. *If may also
> may have disposable bits that would burn making lots of smoke. *One
> advantage of flying a 15/18m glider. *First burn the winglets, then
> the outer panels, then the hozizontal. *If that didn't attract
> attention you'd probably want to die anyway.
>
> Never tried it though and have no idea how hard it would be to get one
> burning and keep it burning. The oxygen bottle should help.
>
> Andy



There was no snow where the glider landed...

Juan