flying for 18 years now. Always an out. And I practice a motor out at least 2 times per year on the tandem trike with a pilot passenger. if it happens it will be a routine landing.
So many great points, Ben. Risk vs reward is the #1 key to longevity in this sport (and life). Every pilot has a different risk envelope and should always be open to "hey, friend, you might try giving yourself a few more options in case something unplanned happens".
It’s just a good habit to fly with an out at all times; self discipline; it’s basically making an investment in yourself so that you will be able to enjoy this sport for a long time.
Very important rule! when i was flying the helicopter my instructor would randomly roll off the throttle and ask me where my landing spot would be. if i didn’t tell him in about five seconds, he would say “you just killed both of us”.
I follow this very rule...most of the time (99%). There are those moments when I cross from one location to another and there is a second or two where if the motor goes things could get ugly fast. Great video. Cheers!
100% agree with you here. I come from the mindset of always being aware of my surroundings. If I have to cross trees and obstructions, I get higher. I credit my instructors for developing that mindset into my flying.
@@ParamotorNC thanks man. Simple repair but yet expensive, piston and cylinder seized up. Cylinder was faulty, so it's wasn't my fault. Failed at 85 hrs. I even was flying almost the same glider as you ( speedster 3 22m)
If you don't have an out, the out is up. Altitude is your out because glide distance increases by 6-8x your altitude gain, effectively getting you to your out.
What happens if you need your out?? In 23 years of flying these contraptions I've used my out twice. The most recent was in September flying with friends in Moab. I learned a few things that may help others. I was almost invisible on the ground with the high bushes. I thought I would get a head start on my recovery by untangling and folding up my wing and putting it in an ultralight white windbag . WRONG. When they did find me they said my wing bag looked like a marshmallow from their perspective. Several pilots flew by me and never saw me waving. Keep your wing open with the brightest side up, if possible. I was lucky to have cell service and the guy that found me sent me a 'share location' request from his iPhone. Even though I dropped them a pin, the share location worked the best. He said he was only a few hundred feet from me before he saw me. Love flying Moab..
Wow! I had not considered the idea of visibility and using the colorful side of wing. Thanks for sharing. And yeah, I take cell coverage for granted near my LZ. Comms are important if you are stranded and exposed to the elements.
Great video bud! I'd say I'm 80/20 when it comes to making good choices to taking a bit of risk that the motor will not fail me. I have had about a half dozen motor outs and fortunately all have happened in the 80% safe part of my flying. Granted your motor can go out for various reasons, however most of the motor-outs I could tell something wasn't right before it happened so I made better choices prior to the "out". Stay tuned into your motor, sounds and feel...all the time. That can make a difference as well.
Excellent point. Also, I’m not trying to be prescriptive for those who are very experienced. I mostly want to present an alternative to some risky stuff we see online.
That's such gopd advice. I know an "epic" experience with no out and a fortunate experience of no engine out scrnario would be great but there always the"what if's"
@@SeeCoryRun I have over 250 hours flight time, more than 300 flights. 1. Sparkplug wire came off, 2. Carb spring broke and throttle cable came off of carb, 3. Exhaust elbow cracked, 4. New exhaust elbow cracked again. 5. Quick release prop hub disintegrated and propeller flew off mid flight, 6. Motor locked up cause fuel pump vacuum hose cracked and it ran lean (Tornado 280), 7. Accidentally pushed kill switch against risers and couldn't get restarted in time.
flying for 18 years now. Always an out. And I practice a motor out at least 2 times per year on the tandem trike with a pilot passenger. if it happens it will be a routine landing.
So many great points, Ben. Risk vs reward is the #1 key to longevity in this sport (and life). Every pilot has a different risk envelope and should always be open to "hey, friend, you might try giving yourself a few more options in case something unplanned happens".
It’s just a good habit to fly with an out at all times; self discipline; it’s basically making an investment in yourself so that you will be able to enjoy this sport for a long time.
Ben,
Great video! Everyone who flies needs to ask themselves these very questions.
Very important rule! when i was flying the helicopter my instructor would randomly roll off the throttle and ask me where my landing spot would be. if i didn’t tell him in about five seconds, he would say “you just killed both of us”.
Great advice, thanks for putting it together. Hey, nice foot drag on that landing! 😄
Thanks 👍
Good job Ben representing the hobby in the proper way.
I follow this very rule...most of the time (99%). There are those moments when I cross from one location to another and there is a second or two where if the motor goes things could get ugly fast. Great video. Cheers!
Climb higher so you can make it to an alternate LZ!
100% agree with you here. I come from the mindset of always being aware of my surroundings. If I have to cross trees and obstructions, I get higher. I credit my instructors for developing that mindset into my flying.
Great topic and thanks for sharing. We enjoy your videos and hoping this next spring/summer will be epic for more flying videos.
Good stuff.............Benny!
Great video as always, Ben
Funny, I just had my first emergency landing 6 hours earlier. Landing went very good, but now I have to fix my motor. Arghhhhhh.
Nice video Ben.
Glad you are okay. Hopefully a simple repair?!?
@@ParamotorNC thanks man. Simple repair but yet expensive, piston and cylinder seized up. Cylinder was faulty, so it's wasn't my fault. Failed at 85 hrs. I even was flying almost the same glider as you ( speedster 3 22m)
If you don't have an out, the out is up. Altitude is your out because glide distance increases by 6-8x your altitude gain, effectively getting you to your out.
What happens if you need your out?? In 23 years of flying these contraptions I've used my out twice. The most recent was in September flying with friends in Moab. I learned a few things that may help others. I was almost invisible on the ground with the high bushes. I thought I would get a head start on my recovery by untangling and folding up my wing and putting it in an ultralight white windbag . WRONG. When they did find me they said my wing bag looked like a marshmallow from their perspective. Several pilots flew by me and never saw me waving. Keep your wing open with the brightest side up, if possible. I was lucky to have cell service and the guy that found me sent me a 'share location' request from his iPhone. Even though I dropped them a pin, the share location worked the best. He said he was only a few hundred feet from me before he saw me. Love flying Moab..
Wow! I had not considered the idea of visibility and using the colorful side of wing. Thanks for sharing. And yeah, I take cell coverage for granted near my LZ. Comms are important if you are stranded and exposed to the elements.
Great video bud! I'd say I'm 80/20 when it comes to making good choices to taking a bit of risk that the motor will not fail me. I have had about a half dozen motor outs and fortunately all have happened in the 80% safe part of my flying. Granted your motor can go out for various reasons, however most of the motor-outs I could tell something wasn't right before it happened so I made better choices prior to the "out". Stay tuned into your motor, sounds and feel...all the time. That can make a difference as well.
Excellent point. Also, I’m not trying to be prescriptive for those who are very experienced. I mostly want to present an alternative to some risky stuff we see online.
Ignorance is Bliss, Awareness is Stress, it's the Sudden Stop that Hurts.
Absolutely, it should be rule number 1 while flying.
I couldn’t agree more!
That's such gopd advice. I know an "epic" experience with no out and a fortunate experience of no engine out scrnario would be great but there always the"what if's"
Agreed.
Top
I've had 7 motor outs and all have been non issues because I always fly with an out. I'll never trust that 2 stroke on my back to keep me safe.
Curiosity sake, what was the cause? 7 outs in how many hours?
@@SeeCoryRun I have over 250 hours flight time, more than 300 flights. 1. Sparkplug wire came off, 2. Carb spring broke and throttle cable came off of carb, 3. Exhaust elbow cracked, 4. New exhaust elbow cracked again. 5. Quick release prop hub disintegrated and propeller flew off mid flight, 6. Motor locked up cause fuel pump vacuum hose cracked and it ran lean (Tornado 280), 7. Accidentally pushed kill switch against risers and couldn't get restarted in time.
Looks like you flew past Fairview church, I drive by there every day on the way to school 😂
Yeah, pretty area out there.
Being safe and thoughtful about our behavior keeps the regulators out. So, do it for yourself and the next kid right now dreaming of flying.