Best way to hoist an over-sized pilot out of the cockpit? (post landing)

[son_of_flubber]

So today I encountered a novel situation at the airfield. The diminutive line boy and I were called upon to hoist an over-sized pilot with a "bad knee" out of his glider (after landing.) Enthusiastic to help with all aspects of "ground handling", I jumped right in, and I ended up straining my back.. Bummer.

So how does one handle this situation better?

I thought we might keep a pole on hand with a nice loop of nylon webbing that we could slip under the armpits of the pilot, pass the pole above him and lift on both sides of the glider with 2-4 hefty men. Sorta like a palanquin. Or we could remove the wings, roll the fuselage on it's side, and "spill" the pilot onto the ground.

Is there something wrong with this picture?

[Bob Kuykendall]

On Jul 3, 7:37*pm, son_of_flubber > wrote:

> Is there something wrong with this picture?

That's my way of thinking. Someone not fit enough to leave a sailplane
under their own power is likely not fit enough to fly. I remember Ken
Pruchnik (sp?) had no knees or lower legs and was every bit as capable
at the basics as any bipedal pilot.

[Charlie Papa[_2_]]

On Jul 4, 12:38*am, Bob Kuykendall > wrote:
> On Jul 3, 7:37*pm, son_of_flubber > wrote:
>
> > Is there something wrong with this picture?
>
> That's my way of thinking. Someone not fit enough to leave a sailplane
> under their own power is likely not fit enough to fly. I remember Ken
> Pruchnik (sp?) had no knees or lower legs and was every bit as capable
> at the basics as any bipedal pilot.

At Freedom's Wings Canada, www.freedomswings.ca , we encounter this
challenge frequently and our various chapters have similar but
different approaches.

The most sophisticated is the Toronto Chapter at York Soaring
Association. There, one our most ingenious and industrious members,
Martin Sanderse, has built a lift on the back of a golf cart, which
originally used a Hoyer sling, (a fabric lifting device with six
straps that connect to a hook, two pass under and then between the
legs, tow around the middle, and two over the shoulders. It has since
been upgraded with a device called Sure Hands, - easier to use and
surprisingly more comfortable than it looks. You can find an article
and photos on the fine Canadian journal of soaring, Free Flight, at
www.sac.ca. There is a searchable index available.

Others have used the Hoyer lift, or in its place an engine lift.
These have been well received both by our passengers, and those who
previously lifted them in and out.

[son_of_flubber]

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012 12:38:19 AM UTC-4, Bob Kuykendall wrote:
> On Jul 3, 7:37*pm, son_of_flubber > wrote:
>
> > Is there something wrong with this picture?
>
> That's my way of thinking. Someone not fit enough to leave a sailplane
> under their own power is likely not fit enough to fly. I remember Ken
> Pruchnik (sp?) had no knees or lower legs and was every bit as capable
> at the basics as any bipedal pilot.

I disagree. The only problem that I see is the expectation that bystanders will step in to extricate the pilot without a lift. There is a possibility of injury to the person doing the lifting.

It would be great if someone came forward with a proven rudimentary lifting device for occasional use. I don't want to reinvent the wheel. A golf cart mounted crane is a bit elaborate for an occasional requirement.

[John Carlyle]

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012 10:46:18 AM UTC-4, son_of_flubber wrote:
> I disagree. The only problem that I see is the expectation that bystanders will step in to extricate the pilot without a lift. There is a possibility of injury to the person doing the lifting.
>
> It would be great if someone came forward with a proven rudimentary lifting device for occasional use. I don't want to reinvent the wheel. A golf cart mounted crane is a bit elaborate for an occasional requirement.

I currently have a torn calf muscle, which results in intense pain when my knee is bent greater than 100 degrees. There is no problem in flight, but it's very difficult getting out of my tight LS8 cockpit (easy getting in - go figure).

I can do it without ground help, but if they're around all I ask is that they keep the left wing on the ground. I unfasten the harness and the parachute straps, then, using both arms, I raise my torso onto the left gunwale so I can roll out of the cockpit, dragging my right leg behind. Very undignified! Can't wait for the muscle to heal...

-John

[Walt Connelly]

On Jul 3, 7:37*pm, son_of_flubber wrote:

Is there something wrong with this picture?

That's my way of thinking. Someone not fit enough to leave a sailplane
under their own power is likely not fit enough to fly. I remember Ken
Pruchnik (sp?) had no knees or lower legs and was every bit as capable
at the basics as any bipedal pilot.

At some point in time we will all reach that moment where our agility is diminished to a degree where we will not be able to independently engage in those activities we enjoy. It is up to us to recognize these limitations and act accordingly. My father was mobile, agile and hostile well into his 80's and I hope to enjoy the same mobility but I hope too that when the time comes I recognize it and back off. My nature is to be helpful and I have helped drag more than one pilot out of their glider, imagine how difficult it would be for them to bail out lacking the strength to do it on the ground. People are not necessarily standing around ready to help when a glider rolls off the runway. One could be there for a long time in some instances.

Walt

[AGL]

On Jul 4, 9:48*am, Charlie Papa > wrote:
> SNIP

> You can find an article
> and photos on the fine Canadian journal of soaring, Free Flight, atwww.sac.ca. *There is a searchable index available.
>

http://www.wgc.mb.ca/sac/freeflight/10_01.pdf page 14

[Karen]

On Jul 4, 5:00*pm, AGL > wrote:
> On Jul 4, 9:48*am, Charlie Papa > wrote:
>
> > SNIP
> > You can find an article
> > and photos on the fine Canadian journal of soaring, Free Flight, atwww.sac.ca. *There is a searchable index available.
>
> http://www.wgc.mb.ca/sac/freeflight/10_01.pdfpage 14

Why not one of these? http://www.redstoneprojects.com/trebuchetstore/catapult_2.jpg
(two flights instead of just one)

Karen