Author Topic: The stooge made a stooge of me (Read 3221 times)

Allen Eshleman · « **on:** June 07, 2009, 06:11:14 PM »

Another title could be - Who or what is the stooge?

I am a sport flyer who flies only a limited amount of times each year but I really enjoy this forum and have gotten great advice here. Thanks so much!

The other day I was flying my new ARF Flite Streak. After a terribly unstable first flight, I was delighted to be on my second flight after applying modifications recommended by members of this forum. I had taken all the added weight off the tail section and had put half an ounce of weight in the outside wing tip. It flew so much better. I was flying with a stooge that has as the pull string, some small nylon rope wound around a paper tile tube. On this second flight, I dropped the tube near my feet. It got tangled around my feet and began to wind around both my legs at the ankles, before I noticed what was happening. Then it was too late. With each circle I was wrapped tighter. I haven't gotten to doing figure 8's yet or I could have saved a lot of wrapping. Finally the board to which my stooge was fastened got close to me. By this time I was hopping up and down in circles because my feet couldn't function at all separately. The board reached my ankles and I tripped. At that point the motor ran out of fuel. I was able to land the plane perfectly from a lying down position. Whew! I was thankful that it only had a 3 ounce Hayes tank on it. Well, I think the stooge made a dumb mistake with the stooge which in turn tripped the stooge. Whatever! All's well that ends well.

I've since had 5 more flights with the Flite Streak, each one getting better. The Fox 35 with muffler pressure is doing a fairly decent 4-2. I will soon try inverted.

Paul Taylor · « **Reply #1 on:** June 07, 2009, 06:35:37 PM »

Allen,
You not the first to have this happen to them. I have read others doing the same thing.

I fly off a stooge some times. I have a chalk line without the chalk. When I launch I toss the line a 6-8 feet back at the stooge, then walk another 8-10 feet away to the center of the circle. That puts 15-20 feet away from the chalk line.

Keep that in mind next time you fly.
Be safe.

John Castle · « **Reply #2 on:** June 07, 2009, 06:56:20 PM »

I have to admit; either it's good nobody was watching or it's really to bad that there is no video for the world to enjoy on YouTube.

John

Bill Heher · « **Reply #3 on:** June 07, 2009, 10:28:25 PM »

What works for me is to pull the stooge release with my left hand held at waist level and the handle / lines straight out in front of me shoulder high. A nice underhand toss from left to right puts the stooge line about 10' in front and to the right of the release point. Then back up about 10 feet- this gets you away from the stooge line, and helps keep you from hitting the stooge itself when you land.

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2009, 08:03:21 AM »

I use a rag to mark the stooge reel and handle spot and back away from it after launch. I drop the stooge reel gently to keep it near the rag. Tossing it can get a guy in trouble - I once got it over the lines but the airplane was large enough to fly out of it. I saw a guy crash a nice plane at the Northwest regionals because of a stooge line over his control lines. Another idea is an old screwdriver stuck in the ground at the handle with the safety thong around it. Then if something goes wrong while you are walking to the handle it will pull full down and your plane shouldn't get far or be damaged too much.

Chucky · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2009, 09:59:22 AM »

I fly a lot with a stooge, on a grass field, and by sheer chance, because that's what I had on hand at the time, my release lanyard is a length of day-glo yellow nylon rope that's about 1/4" thick. The rope is attached to the end of a spring loaded release pin on the stooge mechanism and has a 4" piece of 1" oak dowel on the pilot end, as much for weight as for a handle. After releasing the model, I give the rope an underhanded toss away and to the right. It ends up a good ten ft away from my feet. Knock on wood, but I've yet to get snarled up in the rope while flying. The stooge is made from a 12 x 8 inch piece of 1/2" plywood that I wind the rope around when not in use.

Matt Colan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2009, 10:41:40 AM »

I've flown with a stooge once, and I made sure when I pulled the string, I would set it down away from me and then walk over to where I usually stand so that what happened to you doesn't happen to me. Why don't we ever have a video camera when you could use one?

sleepy gomez · « **Reply #7 on:** June 08, 2009, 10:59:03 AM »

My solution to the above problems is to use a line less stooge

Russell Shaffer · « **Reply #8 on:** June 08, 2009, 11:07:35 AM »

Sleepy, do you have more details? And maybe a picture?

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #9 on:** June 08, 2009, 11:16:51 AM »

A spring-loaded stooge that releases with a tug on the flying lines is just about foolproof; no third line to mess with. You just can't run your lines on the way out to the handle; don't touch them or walk in front of them.

Neville Legg · « **Reply #10 on:** June 08, 2009, 01:08:30 PM »

I'm sorry to say that I had a good laugh at your description of what happened to you! It sounds like a sketch from a Buster Keaton, or Laurel and Hardy movie! Best laugh today, thank you!

Cheers Neville

sleepy gomez · « **Reply #11 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:25:49 PM »

reply to Russell: I have a photo. I will make a drawing to go with it. Give me a little time to figure out how to post a photo. SLEEPY

sleepy gomez · « **Reply #12 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:28:30 PM »

Could some one explain how to post a photo? Thanks

bob branch · « **Reply #13 on:** June 08, 2009, 07:53:29 PM »

They say timing is everything.... talk about timing! Running out of gas right then! Since no one else has pointed it out and since I along with alot of others have done it, I'll mention another thing to watch for.... hitting the stooge on landing. I do not fly with my hat on... I have limited mobility in my neck and can't see the plane up high if I do, so I drop my hat at the stooge line by the handle, and then back off 5 or 6 steps and do not fly near my hat. It being my hat it seems I never step on it... that just seems to happen automatically... besides its got a Big Art pin on it, I'd never step on THAT! After the pattern when I am flying out the few last laps I always confirm I'm outside the hat so the stooge and flight box are clear of my landing.

Congrats on coming out of it with our plane intact. The stunt Gods were smiling at you! ... and with us.... who been there and done that.

bob branch

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #14 on:** June 08, 2009, 09:17:47 PM »

Allen:
gotta admit when I got to the end of your story p and learned the airplane was safe - aI allowed myself a chuckle. It must have been funny to watch but scarry to experience!

Sleepy:
When you make a post, just under the writing window their is a text item called "Additional Options" Click on that and it will take yo to another window that woll let you upload your picture.

Allen Eshleman · « **Reply #15 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:08:05 AM »

I am glad some of you are getting a chuckle. That was my intention. I thought it was funny myself, especially after I landed the plane safely and I also thanked the Lord. Sorry there is no video. Actually, there were two witnesses. A cousin of mine and her daughter was watching. I actually asked them to come out and untangle me while I flew high. They tried for a little bit but it was hopeless. After the plane landed, I took off my sneakers and had them pull the twine off my legs.

I think I will try the chalk line idea.

Also, how does a spring loaded stooge work as suggested, which doesn't have its own line, but releases when one pulls the control lines?

sleepy gomez · « **Reply #16 on:** June 09, 2009, 11:27:34 AM »

Sorry the method of posting photos doesn't work. I can get to browse, then my file, then open. That's as far as it will go. Nothing is there that will let me post the photo.

Dennis Adamisin · « **Reply #17 on:** June 09, 2009, 12:59:33 PM »

Quote from: sleepy gomez on June 09, 2009, 11:27:34 AM

Sorry the method of posting photos doesn't work. I can get to browse, then my file, then open. That's as far as it will go. Nothing is there that will let me post the photo.

OK try one more thing: how big are the picture files? Its best if the are smaller, I shrink mine to 480 x 640 which usuallly gets the flie size down around 80k.

sleepy gomez · « **Reply #18 on:** June 09, 2009, 01:26:15 PM »

Well, I give up on posting the photo and drawings. Yes, they are resized small. HOWEVER if any one wants them I will be glad to email to you. My email is: sleepygomez@gmail.com

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #19 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:05:34 PM »

I have two systems, one for gear-less combat flying wings, and one for planes that ROG.

This is the spring-loaded stooge for "hand-launch" planes--it doesn't catapult, but only releases; requires an engine strong enough to pull the plane directly into the air--as I said, combat wings. Pick up the handle, give it a tug, and off you go. The "spring-loaded" part is a transverse spring that holds the yoke on the catch until you pull (against the spring) to release.

These are old pictures; I have made improvements a couple of times since then--most notably 45 d. elbows at the top of the arms to insure the plane doesn't prematurely jump out. It never did; but at least the now-bent arms give a better perception of security!

Hmmm, upon seeing the pix, the release catch isn't all that clear, is it? I need to go take some pix of the current setup. Same principle though.

minnesotamodeler · « **Reply #20 on:** June 09, 2009, 03:13:42 PM »

...then, here's the ROG line-less stooge. A variety of hooks, adapted to various models, that the tailskid loop slides on to, or as shown, holes in the lower rudder of the Minnie Delta. I start the engine, slide the tailskid onto the hook(s), go out and pick up the handle, pull on the lines to slide it off the hook and away we go.