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VK5ATN > DESERT 03.10.03 08:53l 73 Lines 3242 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : B51030VK5ATN
Read: DB0FHN GUEST
Subj: Re: "Lost in the desert"
Path: DB0FHN<DB0RGB<DB0FSG<I4UKI<IK5CKL<IK1ZNW<IW7CHV<ZL2TZE<VK5UJ<VK5BRC<
VK5SPG
Sent: 031003/0309Z @:VK5SPG.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC #:45002 [Adelaide] $:B51030VK5ATN
From: VK5ATN@VK5SPG.#ADL.#SA.AUS.OC
To : DESERT@WW
As a pilot of some 30 years, I lost the plot of this tragic story when my
disbelieving eyes fell upon:
> The pilot dutifully pulled on the rudder control to turn back, and horror
> of horrors - the control came off in his hand!
Eh? What's goin' on 'ere?
The rudder control in any aircraft capable of taking our curious VK and
his hapless pilot into the 'deserts' of Australia - we are told only 75
miles away from what is a "concrete jungle of urbanisation" - (more on
this later), is operated by the *feet* of the aviator.
For "it" (a pair of pedals) to come off in his hand describes contortions
which defy even my vivid imagination, and frankly 'twould be impossible in
the cockpit of any aeroplane I have ever seen.
So you see from this unlikely point on, I had considerable difficulty in
accepting at face value, any of the rest of the cautionary tale.
I guess, the other point which defies the understanding of those of us who
amazingly manage to walk upside down on the bottom of the globe without
falling off, is that any trip into the desserts of Oztralia from the
aforementioned "concrete jungle of urbanisation" - Must be Melbourne - no
other place could possibly fit that category.... :-) - is likely to be a
flight of at least five or more hours.
With these barriers of appreciation to wrestle with, most VK's would have
some difficulty in coming to terms with the unhappy conclusion of the
story. This one certainly did.
However, the point of David's story as revealed in the answer is
absolutely and irrevocably correct. In such a situation, the best chance
of survival lies in staying with the wrecked aircraft and/or stranded
vehicle. History records many sad endings to people who could not accept
this simple, if challenging fact, and decided to walk for help against all
odds.
Tragically, most do not survive. Their aircraft or vehicle is usually
found before they are. Stay with the vehicle is the first rule of outback
survival and rescue.
Personally, I would have been using whatever means was available to start
a fire of some kind, one that is smoky by day, and bright by night. Even
in the so called deserts of Australia, there is usually timber or spinifex
or something that will sustain a fire. If people see smoke - they ask
questions. If there are no reasonable answers, they usually go and have a
look.
How to start the fire? Drink the vodka in one gulp, and then breath on
any flammable material within 6 feet ............ :-)
The final problem with the hypothetical story quoted, is that any aircraft
heading into the outback would have an EPIRB as part of the onboard
equipment anyway. An accident which was survivable by the crew, would
leave the EPIRB undamaged, and a signal from this would/should ensure SAR
operations in a very short time.
There David, I've probably ruined a perfectly good story haven't I?
However, the point of the story is very valid. Whatever the unlikely
circumstances which led to the situation of the story, the conclusions are
totally valid and correct. Stay with the vehicle or aircraft. Even if
the rudder control thingy is operated by hand :)
Vy 73
Terry
VK5ATN
:-)
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