Safety thong/leash pays off!

[Keith Miller]

Dad and I were flying with some friends a few weeks ago. Dad's in his mid-eighties and does pretty well. On this day he was having a hard time keeping balance in the grass which was a bit lumpy at the circle center. The PT-19 ARF was pulling more than he'd like, and his legs started to get tired. After a couple of minutes it was apparent that he was really having a hard time keeping his feet below him. He eventually fell over and I watched as the handle left his hand. I thought to myself "I better keep an eye on where the plane's going so it doesn’t hit me while I scramble out to make sure he’s OK.

To my surprise, the plane was doing loops bottoming out a good 20 feet high! I’d forgotten that he’d put the safety thong on his wrist. As I ran up, there’s dear ol’ Dad resting on the ground (just tired, no real problems) with the plane pulling his arm around limply while it did loops. Honestly, it was a pretty funny sight, his arm sort of just following the flight path of the plane.

I was able to grab the handle and somewhat gain control, but with the leash still tightly wrapped around his wrist, I couldn’t get smooth control and the PT-19 landed inverted, breaking only the NVA and fin!

This lesson taught me two things: 1) Always use a thong/leash, and 2) find a good flat spot for Dad and shorten his flights a little bit.

[john e. holliday]

That is great that Dad survived the fall.   Also glad he had safety thong on.   Maybe run the engine just fast enough to fly level, like super rich needle setting.  I know at my age and not getting out enough I have trouble.   Why I'm glad I can do loops and 8's.

[RknRusty]

Glad he's okay Keith!
And another emergency safety item to think about, maybe a pair of scissors at hand when you know you might have to take a handle from a downed pilot.
Rusty

[Tim Wescott]

Ditto to all -- and tell Dad that next time he can rest by standing in one spot and doing lazy eights.  Of course, that only works if you don't really need to rest.

[Keith Miller]

Glad he's okay Keith!
And another emergency safety item to think about, maybe a pair of scissors at hand when you know you might have to take a handle from a downed pilot.
Rusty

Ahh, great idea!

Ditto to all -- and tell Dad that next time he can rest by standing in one spot and doing lazy eights.  Of course, that only works if you don't really need to rest.

That's also in the plan for future outings. Thanks!