Scarey! However, given the choice of having a raptor strike in a paraglider, hang glider or sailplane, I would make the choice in that order.
Paraglider pilots throw reserve chutes just for practice. Hang glider pilots rarely throw reserve chutes but the survival rate is very high… with Metamorphosi chutes, a few years ago, over 300 deployments with the worst result being a visit to hospital. Over 50% of sailplane pilots who attempt to deploy a parachute never leave their aircraft. I have flown very close to birds in a flex-wing and been quite happy. In a sailplane, I am definitely nervous, especially if the bird has not seen me or appears suddenly around cloud base. The consequences of a bird strike in the canopy at speed are quite alarming. It reminds me of a speaker in the Domain one Sunday who was advocating more whaling because he thought the seas should be made safe for nuclear submarines. D _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [email protected] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
