Aborted Take Off

[Rubbernecker]

Just thought I would let everyone know about and incident I had tonight. After a quick throttle to get the chute started, I backed off to let it inflate. I looked back and couldn't see the chute. I also looked in my mirror for the chute. I still couldn't see the chute. All of a sudden, I see the chute way to my left and the cart leans on to 2 wheels. I back off the power and the chute centers itself, and I again apply power. The chute takes a dive to the left and the cart goes on 2 wheels. I shut it down and begin to ponder. A witness said he knew I was a goner. I backed it up and laid everything out again and tried it again. This time was perfect. As I was going through my warmup and last check prior to takeoff, I remembered that I did not pull the rudder line all the way in prior to takeoff the last attempt. I pull both rudder lines all the way in just before adding power. I also curl my feet over the rudder bars to keep them from being pushed on takeoff. On the previous attempt, since I didn't pull the rudder line in, the rudder bar was extended when I put my foot on and curled it. I was lucky. Could have been a very bad situation for me and my PPC. Please check and make sure rudder bars are all the way back before takeoff. Take care and fly safe.

John

[Incarcerated]

Rubbernecker,

Thanks for sharing. I am no expert but it sounds like you induced your own stall with a full flare. A shut down is always better than a smack down! I have had some recent trouble inflating and acheiving rotation to LOC, the control lines being pinched at the riser or frame. I am too tight, (not me the chute) but the weather has not been cooperative enough to make it right with trial and error testing. Although I like the turn response in the air; I don't like the fight on take-off.

[kilowatt]

What method of layout and what chute are you using?

Try leaving power in a little longer and good technique in staying off those steering levers until you have full inflation.

I agree with Incarcerated, sounds like a classic chute lock, or at least a stall on the side of the inputted lever.

Kilowatt

[Rubbernecker]

I'am almost 100% positive that it was pilot induced. I had my big 15 EEE on the left rudder bar that wasn't pulled back prior to take-off. Just thought I would share with others so that they may not make the same mistake.

I'm flying an Elan 500 and I do an inverted layout. Have never had any problems and lines were checked prior to take-off. After the abort, the next try was perfect.

Thanks for the input. Take care and fly safe.

John

[kilowatt]

I fly the Elan 500 and inverted technique, as well. There's no doubt that it's one of the best kiting chutes out there.

I had a lockout once, too. It was totally pilot induced as I was trying to bring the chute up real soft, goofing around. It didn't take long to figure out that I definitely needed more aggressive throttle inputs, lol.

Kilowatt