clever ways of crashing
 

I'm trying to design a thin wire-loop that extends out (forward and down) from the wingtip to absorb some of the shock of crash impact and lessen the damage.
Anyone seen anything similar or any other method of redistributing the crash energy?

AND
Does a cheap plastic spinner absorb more crash energy than a sturdy one? (just like how a good bicycle helmet will crack in a major impact so as to disperse and spread the force).
Any other tips?

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

In my experience no amount of "thin wire loops" will help. They will just add more weight. Your plane will still crach the same. You have to remember most of these planes are going very fast relitive to the extremely hard ground.

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

I would assume these would be intended for trainers. Installing one of this on any nice looking plane would look ridiculous. Learning to fly a trainer properly would eliminate a use for this training wheels. They would not do a thing. The amount of resistance on this things would still rip off the wing and make things even worse. Like landing a plane with the retracts down does more damage than if they were up.

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

In the battle between an airplane and the earth, the earth has yet to lose...

[&:]

Terry

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

Trainers are meant to train you to fly, and you will bang yours up quite a bit in the process. Even experienced flyers loose planes, so get used to it- it's part of the deal. Just learn from a good instructor, use a buddy box, and you will probably never crash until AFTER you solo. Good luck!

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

Please note the following equation on your design ... F=MA ... crash proofing? Hahaha ... get a US Aircore!!! Better still get a Flight SIM. Hehehe ...

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

If you're going to crash, try to do it in some soft dirt. I've been lucky enough to do this and suffered very little damage other than dirt inside my engine and a broken prop.

RE: clever ways of crashing
 

A guy I was teaching was too stubborn, flies low and turns hard, told him not to but he did not listen, finally he crashed from about 50', he was lucky, he hit some thick elephant style grass at the field. Lucky it was the edge of the grass patch as I would not wanna go inside to look for the trainer. Also being a Aeromodelli Easy trainer did help ... nothing broke at all.