Equipment Failure

Thank you for your responses. I do apologize if I offended anyone. The questions were born of naivete, not malice. Moreover, I knew I was clueless and considered the discussion group to be a mere starting point in the research.

FYI - no, I don't want my character to get hurt. I wanted his worries to be unfounded, but not ridiculous. That's why I asked the question the way I did.

Now. For those of you who think you know what professional writers do, I hate to break it to you, but scripts and movies are filled with stupid technical gaffes. Most do make it up. I even saw one script where a ferris wheel broke off its axis and rolled through a fairground. You wouldn't believe what's out there. I was trying to do a little better. As far as writing what we know? How boring and sad. Don't worry though, it takes more than sarcasm to discourage me. I'm just glad I used that clever pseudonym when I signed on.

Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/ Before you buy.

I think this one was actually made.

Can't remember the title but I think it was a spoof on a WWII Japanese attack on the coast of California. It contained another spoof based on the Anthony Hopkins ventriloquist character (from 'Magic' (1978) Directed by Sir Richard Attenborough) where they were using the top of the Ferris wheel as a lookout position when it rolled away.

If anyone else saw it and can remember the title please let me know.

Jenny, I apologize if my response was a bit harsh. A longer or more detailed request might not have raised my hackles. It would not have been the first time here (or elsewhere) that the briefest possible input was used to paint grotesque pictures of a beautiful sport. Most people fear crime, but the reality is that a car wreck is more likely to do in the average citizen. In the same vein, the most common fear of students is that they might break a leg. We put wheels on the beginner's glider, so this possibility is reduced to maybe a skinned knee at worst, usually. This would be a correct assessment and accurate resolution of your characters' concerns. Almost any HG pilots used to film your screenplay will be familiar with this option. Experienced pilots will courteously yield extra airspace to wheeled gliders. A broken wrist or forearm is actually more common (and still fairly rare) in lessons, but this can be avoided with various strategies (such as hanging a complete glider from cables in the shop for a thorough ground school before starting lessons, and correct hand positioning.) To put that in perspective, major league pitchers can break an arm by throwing the ball. It's usually a freak occurrence. Personally, I believe the most dangerous part of hang gliding is driving on the highways to get to a flying site. No joke. Tandem instruction is pricey, but I recommend it highly. Because of the cost, most students only get one or two tandem rides as some part of learning, either before lessons or afterward. Tandems are conducted side-by-side, in separate harnesses hanging from the same point, and the instructor can be on either side. The student and instructor can chat quietly and comfortably. Solo students are instructed by radio when beyond voice range, but the student only listens, then. The best students recognize the risks of flying, and count on the instructor to keep those risks to the irreducible minimum. Then they can, with relative safety, begin the rest of their life with hawk wings sprouting from their shoulders. 'Most everybody here has a set, and they would be proud to show you. Mine are twenty five years old, and the rest of me is over 50.

Ahhh! The perfect opportunity to suggest reading 'Safety Comes First' at
http://www.dg-flugzeugbau.de/Safety-comes-first-e.html

For my money it is the most realistic essay on aviation safety I have read.

Ken de Russy Anacortes, WA

Exactly HC!

My wishes too, for there are few pilots here. Some new wings would be very welcome!

: )