Off The Wall Questions!!!!!!!!!!!!

("Matt Whiting" wrote)
I read a story about bush flying in a Cub, where the pilot would lower
a bucket out the window on a rope. He would then go into a constant
tight banked turn, with one wing of the Cub pointed at the bucket. He
could spiral down, and place the bucket stationary on the ground, so a
person on the ground could drop off or retrieve small objects.

I've heard some pretty wild urban legends, but this has to be one of the
best.


Interesting rope and bucket discussions in rec.aviation.student (2001).

http://makeashorterlink.com/?M3D8128FB #1
(same link as below ...wait for it)

http://makeashorterlink.com/?L3F8138FB #2
(same link as below ...wait for it)

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aviation.student/browse_frm/thread/1f9d8990c6ae73b2/b9eece1a17758fd5?q=rope+%2B+bucket&rnum=2&hl=en#b9 eece1a17758fd5

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.aviation.student/browse_frm/thread/70991ad51db474e9/4c185d49d884a830?q=rope+%2B+bucket&rnum=3&hl=en#4c 185d49d884a830


Montblack

Actually, this one it true, Matt.

The technique was first used (AFAIK) by the Wycliff Bible Translators
as a way to deliver
small loads to jungle missionaries.

Richard

On 13 Oct 2005 13:06:32 -0700, "Richard Lamb"
wrote:

Actually, this one it true, Matt.

The technique was first used (AFAIK) by the Wycliff Bible Translators
as a way to deliver
small loads to jungle missionaries.

Richard

Don't THINK that was the first use, but it was definitely an early
use. The bucket could get into terrain you would never land a plane
in, and unteathered drops were too easy to lose.

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
nk.net...
4. How high does Class A airspace extend?

Hey, it is Friday. The first question popped up this afternoon during a
practice autorotation. All the way back from the airport, the questions
kept coming.

Colin

18,000 up to and including FL 600 is Class A. Above that, it's clase E .

Part 71.31 defines Class A
Part 71.71 defines Class E

Tim Ward

Hey Tim, you get an A for knowing the regs.

On Sat, 08 Oct 2005 02:24:33 GMT, "COLIN LAMB"
wrote:

I found these questions quite funny because of the total divorcement
from reality that they represent.

Hey, I was the kid that aksed questions in school that made the teacher
wonder if they were in the right class so here goes:

1. If I built a large domed building, could I fly my helicopter inside
without a helicopter license? I know there is some debate about needing a
pilot license if you do not carry passengers - but in our state, at least,
you do need a pilot license to fly.

of course you could. but just touch one of the blade tips against the
surface of the building for just a moment and you'll know why people
call out "hey carumba". ...actually it will happen so fast that the
carumba part make never make it into the light of day.

2. Someone told me that if you dragged a rope behind an airplane and it
touched the ground at all times, you are not actually flying according to
the FAA. Unfortunately, I could not find this statement in the FAR. I
guess this might be answered by the question of needing a license to pilot a
tethered balloon (with passengers)?

ok an aircraft takes off at say 50 knots, climbs out at say 70 knots
and cruises at 100 to 120knots. and say you fly for one hour.
where are you going to find enough ground totally clear of powerlines,
fences and trees to be able to drag that rope without it snagging
something?
if you have such a space then it is probably so remote that you could
get away with it without anyone ever finding out. the first snag you
hit would sort you out well and truely though.


3. If I am in a glider connected to an airplane by a rope, and the pilot ot
the airplane controls where I go, and I never detach, why would I need a
glider license?

physics again comes to the rescue of the world in the face of this
lunacy. you obviously have not the faintest appreciation for the
turbulence of slipstreams, the dynamics of operating long winged
aircraft close to the earth's surface and a few other real world
considerations. ...lets just say that there is a lot for you to find
out :-)
go for it!

4. How high does Class A airspace extend?

to the top of the flyable atmosphere.

Hey, it is Friday. The first question popped up this afternoon during a
practice autorotation. All the way back from the airport, the questions
kept coming.

obviously you are taking some medication that you forgot that day :-)
try not to let it happen again.

Stealth Pilot
Australia

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
nk.net...

3. If I am in a glider connected to an airplane by a rope, and the pilot ot
the airplane controls where I go...

I would really like to put you in the front seat of a glider and let you
try it. You will instantly find that the "pilot ot
the airplane controls" does NOT control where the glider goes. The glider does
not willingly and automatically follow the tow plane like a trailer follows a
car. The experience is much the same as formation flying, if you wish to remain
connected to the airplane, you must very precisely coordinate stick and rudder
to follow. As a glider instructor, I have watched many an experienced airplane
pilot sweat as they try it for the first time. Like riding a bicycle, once the
skill is learned it becomes automatic.

Vaughn

Well, I am a glider pilot, certified for all 3 launch types. I never
questioned whether it was easy, just what the limits of legality were. You
do not have to be safe or smart to be a pilot. In fact my wife thinks the
contrary is true.

And, yes, my glider instructor claimed I made him sick flying in the back
seat of the glider while I cross controlled "kicking" the yarn, while
transistioning to gliders.

"Vaughn" wrote in message
...

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
nk.net...

3. If I am in a glider connected to an airplane by a rope, and the
pilot ot
the airplane controls where I go...

I would really like to put you in the front seat of a glider and let
you
try it. You will instantly find that the "pilot ot
the airplane controls" does NOT control where the glider goes. The
glider does
not willingly and automatically follow the tow plane like a trailer
follows a
car. The experience is much the same as formation flying, if you wish to
remain
connected to the airplane, you must very precisely coordinate stick and
rudder
to follow. As a glider instructor, I have watched many an experienced
airplane
pilot sweat as they try it for the first time. Like riding a bicycle,
once the
skill is learned it becomes automatic.

Vaughn

If flying on tow isn't a big enough challenge, landing on tow should be a
lot of fun!! The procedure has been discussed on rec.aviation.soaring in
the unlikely event that both the tow plane and the glider have release
failures. Some believe that we should actually practice doing it.

Wayne
HP-14 N990 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/

"Wayne Paul" wrote in message
...

"Vaughn" wrote in message
...

"COLIN LAMB" wrote in message
nk.net...

3. If I am in a glider connected to an airplane by a rope, and the
pilot ot
the airplane controls where I go...

I would really like to put you in the front seat of a glider and
let
you
try it. You will instantly find that the "pilot ot
the airplane controls" does NOT control where the glider goes. The
glider does
not willingly and automatically follow the tow plane like a trailer
follows a
car. The experience is much the same as formation flying, if you wish
to
remain
connected to the airplane, you must very precisely coordinate stick and
rudder
to follow. As a glider instructor, I have watched many an experienced
airplane
pilot sweat as they try it for the first time. Like riding a bicycle,
once the
skill is learned it becomes automatic.

Vaughn

If flying on tow isn't a big enough challenge, landing on tow should be a
lot of fun!! The procedure has been discussed on rec.aviation.soaring in
the unlikely event that both the tow plane and the glider have release
failures. Some believe that we should actually practice doing it.

Wayne
HP-14 N990 "6F"
http://www.soaridaho.com/

Heh. I actually did a touch and go under tow as a student pilot with an
instructor. It was a weird feeling, making a much longer, much flatter
approach than usual. Not much I could do about it. Dropped to low tow on
final, touched down first, waited for the towplane to touch down, Then he
added power and we did another pattern tow, where I actually released.

Tim Ward