On Jun 24, 7:38=A0pm, rlovinggood <rlovingg...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> In the July, 2008 edition of "Gliding International", edited by John
> Roake, there's this word on water landings:
>
> "Walter Schneider and Wolf Lemke of LS fame carried out water landing
> test and ditched an LS1 prior to the World Champion****ps in Finland.
> They were worried about the lack of land out options and the
> proliferation of lakes. =A0They assumed that landing wheel up would be
> the preferred option, but discovered that the glider 'bounced' off the
> surface and dropped a wing as the fuselage entered the water because
> of its shape. =A0They tried it again with the wheel down, deliberately
> put the tail down first and discovered that the wheel acted as a
> gentle brake and controlled the whole process much better."
>
> So, there has been at least one LS1 that has been tested for water
> landings.
>
> Questions:
>
> 1. =A0Who do you find as a test pilot for these things?
>
> 2. =A0What would you, the test pilot, say when Herr Schneider or Herr
> Lemke says, "Go land in the lake." =A0Maybe one of them did it and they
> didn't have to ask a test pilot to do it?
>
> 3. =A0Which version and serial number of the LS1 made this landing, I
> mean, landings (plural)?
>
> 4. =A0I have an LS1-c/d =A0(Built as a 'c', changed to a 'd') and it was
> flown by Helmut Reichmann in the 1970 World Gliding Champion****p. Was
> it this glider they tested? =A0Serial number 27.
>
> 5. =A0My 'c' model does not have any type of box around the landing
> gear. =A0Seems like the fuselage could quickly fill and drag it to the
> bottom. =A0I wonder if they did their tests with the 'f' model, which
> does have a sealed landing gear box?
>
> Well, I know if I ever am faced with the challenge, the things to do,
> not including panic radio calls...
> 1. =A0Extend the landing gear.
> 2. =A0Close the air vents.
> 3. =A0Close spoilers.
> 4. =A0Land tail first (as always).
> 5. =A0Hopefully land towards the mainland and not an island, wind and
> topography permitting.
> 6. =A0Hope the insurance is paid up.
>
> Ray Lovinggood
> Carrboro, North Carolina, USA
You can't judge the landing well enough to land safely toward shore.
Parallel at distance you judge to be deep enough to not hit the
bottom- at least 8 ft.
Low energy with everything retracted except gear will reduce
likelihood of damage.
Vents will pop open due to pressure pulse when nose goes in.
Some handbooks suggest canopy unlatched(front hinged type) to help
egress if it goes on it's back.
Best to try to avoid, but MUCH better than trees.
Admiral Nixon
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