Frans, a thoughtful reply as always, but I would take
issue with you on a couple of points. Firstly my liferaft
sits nicely on my side immediately behind the pilot's
headrest where it is no more likely to hit me on the head
than any of the other luggage and I do not feel it
necessary to tie it down. Secondly planes sink for the
most part with the Europa Classic being an honourable
exception. PA 28s have been timed at sinking in between 2
and 3 minutes. I hope an XS would float longer but doubt
very much that it would last more than prerhaps 10 or 15
mins.
Regards, David Joyce, G-XSDJ
Frans Veldman <frans@privatepilots.nl> wrote:
><frans@privatepilots.nl>
>
> On 07/04/2012 10:34 PM, Bob Hitchcock wrote:
>
>> Just a quick poll. Does anyone take a life raft as part
>>of the
>> standard aircraft kit?
>
> Ilona and I regularly fly long legs over water. This
>year we crossed the
> Skagerak to Norway, we went to Corsica via the French
>coast (one hour
> over water), went from there to Italy and then to
>Croatia (also one hour
> flight over water). So we have our share with flying
>over water.
>
> We own a life raft... but we didn't take it with us on
>these trips...
>
> Our experience is that it is impossible to take the life
>raft in front
> of the bagage area during flight (and the actual
>ditching). There is
> just not enough room to stow it or even hold it on the
>co-pilots lap
> without obstructing the control column.
> This implies you have to take it in the bagage area and
>tightly secure
> it there so it stays there during the deacceleration
>associated with
> ditching (you don't want to spoil a succesful ditching
>with a life raft
> knocking you unconscious from behind).
> Then there are two possible outcomes (not counting a
>total failure): the
> airplane flips over or is badly damaged and sinks to the
>bottom. In that
> case the chances to get the life raft out of the bagage
>area are slim.
> The other outcome is that the airplane survives the
>ditching, stays
> upright, and remains floating. In that case do you
>really need a life
> raft? The tail or wings are probably more comfortable to
>await rescue,
> and an airplane is easier to locate so it is a good idea
>to stay close
> to it anyway.
>
> Of course we have life jackets, and a PLB. We stay in
>contact with ATC
> all the time, announce our route in the flight plan, and
>preferably fly
> as high as possible (usually at 10.000 ft) when crossing
>the water so
> even if the engine totally quits we still have an
>endurance of 20
> minutes, long enough to have the rescue team already on
>its way or even
> awaiting at the scene before we actually get into the
>water. (Not to
> mention the possibility to just glide to the coast; from
>10.000 ft you
> have quite an interesting gliding range).
>
>For just crossing the canal I wouldn't bother at all. If
>you fly high
> enough you can make it to one of the shores from almost
>any point, and
> there are so many boats that it should always be
>possible to land near a
> vessel. They can either fish you out of the water or
>direct the coast
> guard to your exact position. You are probably rescued
>before you even
> have the chance to get into your life raft.
>
> Oh, and I have heard that the small life rafts are
>almost impossible to
> board, especially with clothes on, or when the water is
>cold (not to
> mention possible injuries). You might need to practise
>in a swimming
> pool to check how to get in and whether you are actually
>even capable to
> do so. In cold water your strenght is gone in a minute
>or so, so if you
> don't board fast you can forget about the life raft and
>use it only as a
> beacon.
>
> I'm actually considering selling the life raft.
>
>Frans
>
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