Me and My Stooge (Dumb Stunts I have Pulled)

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I seem to remember someone, somewhere, writing about the different hazards that could occur when flying alone using a stooge. Well folks I am here to tell you that it is true.

A couple of weeks ago I decided to go to the club field and fly a trainer that I had built for our participation demo during the Southeastern Model Show in Perry, GA. I took my stooge which is the type that holds the stabilizer until you pull the pin. These are especially good for tricycle gear planes.

I started the plane, walked to the handle and pulled the line and the plane took off just fine. I use a chalk line string for my release cord. They are great for stooge lines because you can wind them up and throw them in your flight box.

The plane was doing about 5 1/2 second laps and after several laps I felt something on my ankle. I glanced down and the string was wrapping around my right ankle. I thought, Ok...no problem I will just shake it off. This was the maiden flight for this plane and the trim wasn't good so I was having to watch the plane pretty close and I started lifting my right ankle and shaking it (doing the hokey pokey)while I was turning with the plane. No dice... the line was just wrapping tighter. Then....I felt something wrapping around my left ankle. You guessed it, the line was now wrapped around both ankles. Does anyone remember the character that Tim Conway played on the Carol Burnett show where he was the old man that took little bitty shuffle steps? That was me. Going around and around doing little bitty shuffle steps. The more I turned, the tighter the line got. I started to sweat. Profusely.....My feet were tied together and I was hopping like a rabbit on crack in a little bitty tight radius. I started praying for a tank leak, a bird strike or a direct hit by a meteorite. The plane leaned out. The #### thing picked up speed. The line was getting tighter around my ankles. My body was aching all over. Thoughts of Kamakazi suicide planes flashed through my brain. I was wondering why I ever got into this hobby. Finally the plane ran out of gas. Was it an immediate cut off? Oh no.. it had to stutter for a couple of more laps. Now I was pissed. It was messing with me. Finally I was dead stick, I stumbled, fell on my butt, bounced the plane off the ground about 3 times and brought it to rest on its nose. I couldn't move. Not only were my legs completely numb, the mess around my ankles looked like a baitcasting reel with the world's worst backlash. I managed to get to my feet and bunny hopped over to my flight box and grabbed my exacto knife. I cut the line, stabbed my ankle and finally got free. I think I am going into model trains.

It was a bad day.

Mike

A guy I fly with has a loop on the end of his stooge line with the string through some fuel tubing. I thought this was unnecessary. Then one day I pulled on my string and it got tied onto my finger. It took a couple of laps to get it loose. Now I have a loop on the end of my stooge line with the string through some fuel tubing.

Howard Rush
Bellevue, WA

Why didn't you just do some lazy 8's?

Don't feel bad Mike....I had exactly the same thing happen to me last summer! Is that a helpless feeling or what

I guess I'd better never use a stooge. I have enough problems standing up without anything wrapped around my legs!

I designed a stooge line handle and we made up a couple (one for Matt, one for me). That might be something to add to the safety column. First, the line wraps neatly around the handle for storage. Then we unwind just enough to equal the length of lines that we are using and there is a wing nut with a couple of washers that this goes around and is clamped down to. That limits the length, but gives us instand adjustment for any size of lines.

Now, with the handle, we don't have to worry about it getting stuck on the finger. Also (and here is the key point), when using the handle, we pull it to release the plane and then throw it towards the launch site. The second point is to also back away from the launch stooge at the same time (you don't want to land on the stooge at the end of the flight).

End result, the line is nowhere near your feet at any time and there will be no fancy footwork needed during the flight.

(OK, mental note, put that in the next issue's safety column.)

A while back there was anther thread about stooges. I remember there was a picture of one design that captured the tailwheel itself so it did not require any sort of additional wire loop to use it, just a securely mounted tailwheel. Would like to make one of those, was hoping to get a drawing or picture of that design. Tried the search function but can't locate the original thread..

Allan Perret

I have stooge releases for ages. The only problem I ever had was just a couple of years ago that I was in a hurry and it was cold. I forgot to look to see where the stooge line was according to the flying lines. Somehow it got wrapped over my lines. No problem as I gave full down before the plane got airborne. Then looked around to see any body else was around.

But, I have always had a handle on the end of the stooge line. Peice of dowel rod with a hole drilled thru it to tie the stooge line to. Have over 80 fot of line on it. I have a way of making a loop i the line when I roll out enough for the length lines I am flying on. The stooge itself is spring loaded, but, like Leonard I still toss the handle toward the stooge and step back.

Another safety feature is to walk behind the plane as you go out to the handle. For me it is easier to see the lines. So far have not had an early release, but, there is that possibility. Someone on another thread about stooges also stated to put a stake thru the safety thong til you get to the handle.

Most of remember that when you are alone you need to be extra careful with every thing. The thing that gives me horrors is watching someone tach their engine from the front. Also don't forget your cell phone. Having fun,
DOC Holliday

I don't remember who designed this and I am sorry for that. But it is a neat solution.

[photo not recovered: 32887.jpg]

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

It looks to me like an accident waiting to happen. There is nothing but hope and a spring to react engine thrust and vibration. The engine thrust is trying to OPEN the stooge, not IMO a good idea.

A spring loaded cross pin through loops is a much safer configuration.

don Burke
Menifee, CA
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, WOO HOO, What a Ride!

I do remember that the gent who designed this had used it for many years with never a problem. Thats why I liked it....tested by time and NO failures.

Leonard,
My stooge release line is stored and deployed on a flat card-style winder. It's length can be easily and positively adjusted and the card acts as a handle. The stooge line itself is a product called "Skybond" by Shanti Kite Spools. It has a Kevlar core with a braided polyester sheath so it doesn't stretch much. Both the line and the card are easily visible against the grass field.

The important issue is this: I set the stooge line length to be a couple feet LONGER than the flying lines. So, as I stand with the flying handle in my right hand and the card/release line in my left, the release line is completely slack. To tension the line and release the plane takes a VERY deliberate movement of my left hand past my side. This setup helps insure I will never have an accidental release.

Derek

[photo not recovered: 32884.jpg]

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Mike,

Hahahahahahahahaha! Good story!

That exact same thing happened to me while practicing for "Golden States" a few years ago. When I realised what was happening I thought I was surely going to crash............then I remembered something! All I had to do was go the other way, so I flipped my ship inverted and voila! The line came off my feet and I completed my practice.

I know you said that it was a new ship but..........


Regards, Jerry Arana

Mike-

Marvelously told! I would have found that hard to believe, but a couple years ago it started to happen to me, and I took 3-4 laps to shake it off. I was lucky; it's just amazing how tenacious those stooge lines can be, once they start wrapping.

SK

I am using a stooge for a couple of years now because I like to get early to the field and start practicing before anyone else has arrived. It is a simple construction with a long 2/8'' pin holding the plane and I pull it against the mild tension of a rubber band. You can see in the picture.



[photo not recovered: 32894.jpg]

The only thing abouts it use that bothers me is the possibility that the stooge release cord gets over the lines and that would mean disaster being a righthand flyer. So I always follow the same procedure religiously when installing stooge and aircraft + lines. Stooge and release cord first and then the lines crossing on top of the release cord. Checking and rechecking before every flight. To be honest, the best releases are done with the stooge. Many times when a colleage releases the departure is less stable and straight.

Rgds, Bram

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Here's pic's of my home made stooge that i use with a pathfinder. I hook a bunge cord to to the pin and the brake drum so the pin dosen't go flying off when i yank it out.

Shawn

What it is, is what it is, unless it isn't !!!!!!

[photo not recovered: 32895.jpg]


[photo not recovered: 32896.jpg]


[photo not recovered: 32897.jpg]


[photo not recovered: 32898.jpg]

Attachment #1, (jpg file)
Attachment #2, (jpg file)
Attachment #3, (jpg file)
Attachment #4, (jpg file)

Hi Mike

Very similar experience to yourself, posted here:

http://stunthanger.com/smf/index.php?topic=8347.0

Best

Maurice