PERSONAL SAFETY WARNING (MUST READ) !!!

[robert]

PERSONAL SAFETY WARNING!!!!

i took my cub out on this beautiful afternoon to the field that is well over 6 acres. (thats more than 24,200 meters squared for you metric folks up here)
i went solo this time as my girlfriend has more important things to do besides watch me fly my plane. for those of you who don't know yet, i am in a wheelchair permanently as a result of a broken neck some 13 years ago. i'm perfectly capable of driving, working, and functioning better than the average guy that walks still, but i digress....

the field that i use is secluded. it's not a park, there's nothing out there except a tiny sign that says "keep off grass" which i ignore... the grass is lush but maintained. it seems too dense to do rolling take offs, and land without nosing over. it is so thick that i can barely push myself through it in my wheelchair. it's like a sponge that everything sinks into about 3 inches (7.62cm chaps). so what happened to me was i "landed" the plane about 75 meters in front of me and had to retrieve it alone. i got sunk in and got stuck in the middle of the field in the blazing sun without the ability to sweat to cool off, result of spinal cord injury.
so, i was stuck in the middle of nowhere for about an hour and was in serious danger of passing out, or worse from heatstroke. my cell phone and cold beverages were in my car at the edge of the field, in sight, but very far from in reach.
luckily, my girlfriend came by to see why i hadn't returned home as scheduled and helped un-stuck me from certain peril.
the moral of the story is do not go to your secluded field alone, or at least without telling someone of your whereabouts. i know most of you are not in wheelchairs, but you never know when something unexpected can happen. heart condition, twisted ankle, severe head injury from getting hit by a super cub at full speed... i owe my girlfriend my life for today and will NEVER leave my fate up to the powers of the universe again. please learn from my near death experience so you can continue to fly your cubs and give me advice from your expertise.

[toff]

Robert, I'm glad you came out of this very much okay, and have used it to pass on the message. Having read your post, and then having a bit of a google, could you maybe buy some off-road wheels for your chair, to prevent it possibly happening again? I know these wheels are available, although from some of the sites I've seen, the prices are mysteriously missing.....

[renard80]

Phew, glad to hear your unpleasant episode had a happy ending.

You make a useful point. As an oldie and therefore on borrowed time , I always have my phone with me, plus my driver's licence which has my name and address.

Fortunately, to date the phone has only been needed for Boss Lady to call me in irritation when I'm late back for meals . . .

I sincerely hope you don't have a repeat experience.

[robert]

Thanks guys. Off road wheelchair wheels would be cool, but as you noticed that the price is not advertised. Everything for wheelchairs is absurdly overpriced, and insurance most certainly doesn't see offloading as a necessity. For that matter, it practically took an act of congress to convince them that the wheelchair itself was a necessity for a Quadropelegic.
It's not the first time I've been in a ditch, and unfortunately probably won't be the last. Just gotta always expect the unexpected.

[hghost]

Hey Robert, Glad to hear you came out OK.

I myself have a heart condition and try never to go anywhere without telling everyone where I am. I keep my cell in my pocket and handy.And as crime and crazies get worse I even go armed ( sad one would have to but one never knows)
But I give a close timeline to when I will be where I am suppose to be...and most know if it does not happen to come looking within that time frame.

Where i been flying is only about 2-3 minutes from my house and many people there most days, but I have been out there alone

We also have bears and I have seen Mountain lions in times past, so one never knows what may be passing.The Interstate has changed allot of animals travel in that particular area, but right across that Interstate is a very large wooded Forest so anything is still possible.

Right down the road at the larger field swamp now with so much rain this year...it is surrounded by woods and the grass is now chest high...so no one knows what may lurk there, have seen many tracks in the mud....so one has to watch...and No one is out there and can not be seen from the road. Other than a few ATV's that I see trails for it ,it is totally secluded .

Just be careful, make a plan and set up with someone to come if you do not return within a certain set time limit. Be safe and take care. and take no extreme chances .