PLFKING 4 #1 June 13, 2001 Hey all --Just a note to remind everyone of why the safety rules / guidelines exist. We piled into the Cessna Saturday, taxied out while discussing who would spot, exit order, etc......and two of us (sadly, one was me) neglected to fasten our seat belts.Roll-out, rev up, and down the runway we go. Pilot pulls up, we get 5 feet off the ground, stall light goes on, RPMs drop, and the pilot sets it back down with 1800 ft of runway left and doing about 90 mph. He yells at everyone to assume crash positions, and I can't express the sick feeling I got when I realized I wasn't belted in. After what seemed like an eternity of plane-bouncing, tire-squealing, wheel-hopping chaos, we finally screech to a halt, the pilot hollers to exit the plane NOW, and we pile out to discover 5" of pavement (LITERALLY -- I measured) between our front tire and the end of the runway -- past that, a grassy, down-hill slope....then into the woods.I've been to several larger DZs, and seen Otter and CASA loads on which maybe only 50%-75% of the jumpers were belted in -- I guess I became complacent to the danger, and EVERYONE who jumps either knows or should know that complacency in this sport will eventually kill your ass.So, luckily, a lesson learned without the expense of a hospital stay. Also, I now know that my helmet will NOT fit into my sphincter, although it WAS close......The belts are there for a reason........wear 'em.The Prince of PLF Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mikefarmer 0 #2 June 13, 2001 Hey, glad you guys made it!! What was the problem with the plane?? CG???MikeI ponder on this dangerous, but irresistible pastime- Pink Floyd Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jessica 0 #3 June 13, 2001 Glad you're okay, palsy. Though this does bring to mind a question: in the Caravan, we often belt ourselves in around a leg, or the leg strap. That seems to me like just a "let's be legal" type of thing; I don't think it would offer much restraint in the event of a crash. Thoughts? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GeekStreak 0 #4 June 13, 2001 QuoteAlso, I now know that my helmet will NOT fit into my sphincter, although it WAS close......LOL!!!Glad to hear that you are OK. 1111,GeekStreak Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtval 0 #5 June 13, 2001 it's been a while since i've seen you around the post, king!good to hear you got nothing but the shit scared out of you. just how close was the helmut to fitting? ha ha ha. im glad we can all laugh about this!Have Fun, live free, SKYDIVE!!!JT Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 4 #6 June 13, 2001 Waaassssuuupppppp!The pilot and DZO think it may have been slight wind shear at the worst time, but that wasn't proven. The same four of us went up in the same plane later in the day with no problem, so...........And, Jess, it seems to me that belting around your leg strap is better than nothing, but it seems like in an accident, you would probably be ADDING more cetrifugal force, which would probably damage you more (i.e. your body would rotate around your leg at a high rate of speed -- not explaining it clearly, I know....)Hey JT ! Too many projects at work have turned me into a mere "lurker" here, but ya'll are still good for 2 or 3 belly-laughs over the course of the day (as always !). Good luck in Korea -- maybe if you can't find a plane, you can BASE jump ! I read about your tube jump -- that is definitely on my "to do" list now...And I'm not sure how much of my helmet was "inserted", but I noticed last night that the letters "Pro-Te.." are now imprinted on the inside of my large intestine........The PLF Supervisor Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ADRNALN 0 #7 June 13, 2001 Read something like that really makes you think about how much all those little things mean.THNX 4 SHARING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PLFKING 4 #8 June 13, 2001 I can honestly say that was the first, and only, time I will ever forget to fasten my seatbelt.As I've said before, you learn lessons a lot more completely when you scare the shit out of yourself during the process......this was not caused by bad advice, or a lack of information, or bad weather -- just negligence, pure and simple. This sport is dangerous enough without increasing the likelihood for tragedy through sheer stupidity..........The PLF Pauper Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tee 0 #9 June 14, 2001 I'm glad to hear you are okay Kingy! Unfortunately, with our little cessnas (182 & 206) we don't even have the option of wearing a seatbelt. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NewGuy 0 #10 June 14, 2001 QuoteUnfortunately, with our little cessnas (182 & 206) we don't even have the option of wearing a seatbelt. Are there C182's with seatbelts in for jumpers? Yikes, I can't imagine being able to get one on. Pretty tight fit - sardines in a can!Glad to hear your still with us PLFKing.Cheers,NewGuy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kris 0 #11 June 14, 2001 Quote Are there C182's with seatbelts in for jumpers? Yikes, I can't imagine being able to get one on. Pretty tight fit - sardines in a can! The C-182 at my DZ has seatbelts. When I'm JM'ing a student and I'm sitting on my knees I even have a seat-belt that I can put over my legs and cinch down tight. The other seat-belts are pretty comfy and are easy access.It can be done.Kris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MC208B 0 #12 June 14, 2001 yeah, it can be done and per the FAR's it will be done......lol! the place where I haul jumpers and jump with the old ratty 182 has a 1,700 foot grass strip, guess I'd be shit outta luck on this takeoff :) BTW, what kind of plane was it???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BPO 0 #13 June 14, 2001 Sure.. we've both got a Cessna-182 and a Cessna-206 with seatbelts.. I think its obligatory thing here.. Has something to do with being the pilot's responsibility or so I was told.And yes.. they are a b|tch to get fastened..Blue ones! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
