Tom's Blown Launch at Box

Tom Morrison · Post by **Tom Morrison** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 12:16 pm

John Lowrey picked me up at noon Tuesday and we headed to Box Canyon. The conditions were good and I was looking forward to getting back in the air since my last trip September 2010 (18 months ago). We went to the LZ first where John explained the best place to do a final approach. We checked the wind sock and streamer and the conditions were looking great. We then headed up to launch which took about 50 minutes on definitely a 4 wheel drive road. When we arrived the conditions were still looking good so we set up Eric’s 195 Falcon loaner for me to fly. As we had no other driver John decided not to fly and graciously chose to help me get a flight. I suited up and was hooked in doing a hang check and ready to go. Winds were about 10-15mph with a slight right cross but nothing that really concerned me if I waited for the right cycle. I waited for about 5 minutes on launch, called “my glider” then “clear” and ran off.
This is when my day took a turn for the worse! I did something I still can’t believe, I allowed the nose to come up when running instead of keeping it low and flying. Once the glider got too high it stalled and I was pitched to the left and turned back hitting the mountain about 50’ from launch. I was not hurt, not even a scratch and am very lucky that I am able to post this note today. John offered to take me to a training hill before we flew any high sites and I chose not to as I felt my flying skills were fine, obviously not. I am very disappointed with my judgment at launch and am trying to digest what happened. My golfing lessons today helped take my mind off the accident.

See you all at Tuesday’s meeting.

Tom

morey · Post by **morey** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 3:29 pm

Glad you weren't hurt tom.

Box is tricky and requires a somewhat unique launch technique.

chicken hawk · Post by **chicken hawk** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:12 pm

Hi Tom,
Welcome to the bad lands of the Southwest.
Not having flown in 18 mo., I think the Sonoita Valley would be a good place to start working on muscle memory/technic.
Don't know when your vacations over. I'm comitted to projects on April 7th & 28th both saturdays.
Otherwise lets hook-up, Sonoita Valley & maybe Flagstaff. The Craters is an excellent place to hone ones skills.
Glad you were able to shake off the dust & fly another day.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 2:47 pm

Early in my HG career, I blew a launch on the training hill, stalling the glider such that I had no control. I learned that lesson too well and started launching with a very low angle of attack so that I had screaming launches. Well, one day I couldn't run fast enough and I blew another launch, this time because I had the nose too low. So I am the Goldie Locks of angle of attack - this one's too high, this one's too low.

Box is tricky. It is essentially a cliff that you can run down. You have to set your angle of attack relative to the upslope winds and not the horizon, which can feel like pointing the glider at the ground.

Glad you are OK Tom. Maybe I'll join you at the training hill to tune up my HG launches.

Tom Morrison · Post by **Tom Morrison** » Fri Apr 06, 2012 7:26 pm

Thank you Rafael, Scott and John for your positive input which helps put the accident in perspective.. I have been beating myself up all week over this unnecessary crash and at one point considered retiring from the sport that I have been doing since the 80’s. Well after giving it considerable thought I have concluded that there is absolutely no way I can give up this amazing sport. I do recommend that a pilot always return to a training site before flying to brush up on basic skills after an extended break, regardless of how many years one has been flying. Thanks again guys for helping.

Tom