I was in flight that day and recall hearing a few pilots asking if anyone
had heard from Angel lately. I didn't learn of his misfortune until the
next morning. From descriptions I've heard of the accident, it sounds like
a rudder cable broke. I have not seen the wreck and I'm not a professional
accident investigator, this is just my opinion based on what I've heard.
I've also looked at another JS-1 on the field and there's a frayed rudder
cable.

It seems like all modern gliders use the same or a variation of the same
mechanism for connecting and adjusting rudder cables and pedals. You can
bet that, before my next flight in my LAK-17a, I'll be giving those parts a
very close look.

I was shocked to hear of Angel's accident and am so glad that he survived.



"Don Johnstone" wrote in message
. com...
At 15:00 01 May 2012, Papa3 wrote:


I watched a number of pilots trying to get out of their gliders at Perry
on=
the ground. Between an excess of personal ballast and declining muscle
s=
trength, I'd be willing to bet half of them could never get out with any
in=
creased lateral or positive, vertical loading. =20

I think you might find that adrenaline takes over in that situation

Related to this, I'm curious why static lines aren't prevalent in the US.

=
It seems all of the European made gliders have a provision for the static
l=
ine. Any of our Euro friends care to illuminate us on whether use of
stati=
c lines is common there?

Static lines are not used here in the UK for the very good reason that
pilots tend to exit the glider wearing the parachute and walk away. I
think
the fitting of a static line loop in the glider was an LBA requirement but
as far as I am aware no one uses it for the reason given above.

If you want a good laugh have a look at this. The demonstrator is
attempting to show that the practice of undoing the chest strap before the
leg straps is unecessary because you won't ever get dragged by the chute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Kx-buGUOhw