I was involved in this same ash spreading mission, a couple years back, over
a certain location where a friend use to hunt. I flew the 182 at approx. 100
mph, 10 degrees flap, at 10,000 feet msl. We were surprised to find the
ashes were not all fine powder but had some chunks. The passenger in the
right seat had the baggie of ashes and opened the window, stuck his arm out
as far as he could and punched a hole in the plastic with his finger. IIRC,
the passenger behind him helped hold the window open. It took approx. 15
miles. The comments from him was the air was quit cold and he had to keep
enlarging the hole, one handed, in the baggie for the bigger chunks. I did
not notice any dust coming into the cabin nor did I notice any ashes on the
airplane when we landed. We then cruised the "Rocky mountain range" as they
told stories of hunting with him and pointed out areas where he got that
elk, deer, and other great stories, a very moving experience. We got a
seriously good laugh when it was pointed out the westerly winds might drift
the ashes over the not too popular game warden's house (OT story).
I hope some day this is how I go, "please don't bury me, down in that cold
cold ground...

Pat Thronson



"tony roberts" wrote in message
news:nospam-A53B13.21060101122003@shawnews...
I appear to have volunteered for a task I know nothing about.
My friend who owns a Cherokee was approached by a neighbour who advised
him that his father was dying and has asked that his ashes be scattered
from an aircraft over a rural area near where I live. My friend
volunteered, then thought that a high wing may do the job better, and
asked me if I would do it in my 172 - in a weak moment I agreed.

Throwing the sealed bag out of the window is an appealing option for its
simplicity, but I doubt that next of kin or persons on terra firma would
agree.

An open bag, thrown out of the window may or may not empty on its way
down - not reliable enough. Also I don't want the dear departed to hit
the horizontal stab and take us with him.

Tipping the contents of the bag out of the window would, I suspect,
result in the contents siphoning back into the cockpit.

A tube hanging out of the window, with a funnel at the top? That may
create a venturi effect and cleanly suck the ashes out of the plane.

Has anyone ever disposed of cremated remains from a light plane?
How did you do it? All suggestions/ideas gratefully received.


--

Tony Roberts
PP-ASEL
VFR OTT
Night
Almost Instrument
Cessna 172H C-GICE