Children in gliders?

"Roger Worden" wrote in message
...
Are there some common guidelines about how big or old kids should be
before going for a glider ride? My concerns are around the safety
harnesses being intended for adults...

How do you ensure the harness is safe and is not going to slip around or
off a kid?

Are there safe ways to use a booster seat to enable a small one to be up
high enough to see out, without a possibility of it becoming a loose
object in the cockpit?

Anyone have experience with this subject?


There are many problems with this---
Psychological
Physiological
Intellectual
Physical.

The most pressing is the physical. The child must be able to see out or
motioin sickness can be a problem. In the event of (God forbid) a landing
mishap, the child must be protected--seat cushions will make it worse. A
solid booster chair is a must, and an adapter for the shoulder harness so it
won't slip off is needed as well.

Find out if they like carnival rides--if so, no problems with fear.

Don't try to explain everything in detail.

Good luck.

On Sep 10, 10:48*am, "HL Falbaum" wrote:
"Roger Worden" wrote in message

...

Are there some common guidelines about how big or old kids should be
before going for a glider ride? My concerns are around the safety
harnesses being intended for adults...

How do you ensure the harness is safe and is not going to slip around or
off a kid?

Are there safe ways to use a booster seat to enable a small one to be up
high enough to see out, without a possibility of it becoming a loose
object in the cockpit?

Anyone have experience with this subject?

There are many problems with this---
Psychological
Physiological
Intellectual
Physical.

The most pressing is the physical. The child must be able to see out or
motioin sickness can be a problem. In the event of (God forbid) a landing
mishap, the child must be protected--seat cushions will make it worse. A
solid booster chair is a must, and an adapter for the shoulder harness so it
won't slip off is needed as well.

Find out if they like carnival rides--if so, no problems with fear.

Don't try to explain everything in detail.

Good luck.

From practical experience with my kids (currently 4 and nearly 7) who
have flown since they were about 3, I'd just add:

- In something like a 2-32 or 2-33, remove the rear stick (it's easy
to do) for really little ones until you're sure they can obey
instructions not to touch. By the time my guys hit 4 or so that was
no longer an issue.
- Booster seat with integral backrest (see for instance Graco Turbo
model). This has the advantage of shoulder harness guides that align
nicely with typical airplane and glider shoulder harnesses to provide
the proper spacing for child-sized chests.
- In something like a 2-33, use the LATCH system tether (I think this
is the global term, not just US) to anchor the seat to a structural
member to prevent it from sliding around.
- Put the seat on top of a high density foam pad (which won't
compress) to provide additional friction to prevent sliding and give
additional height.
- Snug them in good and tight.

Early flights were intentionally sled rides to just get them used to
the idea. Nowadays, they actually ask ("hey dad, can we go to the
airport today.") Last weekend was a big one for us, as my son
actually took the controls for 10 minutes to practice turns, speed
control, etc. Prior to that, he would just want to do a quick turn and
then give it back. Key is to make it fun and low pressure.
Nowadays, the kids look for bald eagles (saw one last weekend), remark
on backyard pools, farm animals, etc. Good fun.

P3

Great ideas above.

I have taken up a few sub-five year olds. Because of their weight, I
had to fly front seat. The problem then is keeping an eye on the
child because it is nearly impossible to turn around to look (even in
a 2-33).

So I resort to talking about everything and making sure I get
feedback. Phrases like "Weee!" and "How are you doing?" and "Look at
that!" are key. If there ever was a time to know the name of the
child, this is it.

My $0.02.

- John DeRosa

I took my grandson at the age of two. We removed the normal seat from
the club L-23 and used the regular harness to secure his FAA approved
car seat into the rear cockpit area. This secured him and also
elevated him enough to see out.

For two weeks before the flight, we went to the club and strapped him
in the back while I was in the front. We would then raise the wing and
make small bounces and motions sitting there on the ground. This got
him used to the eventual motion of flight. I also gave him a
disconnected microphone so he 'talk' on the radio. He really liked the
phrase 'roger dodger'.

The flight took place during morning calm and was a sled ride from
pattern altitude. He thoroughly enjoyed it and talked about it for
many months afterward.

Horst
L33