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
|