Kite Meets Mac Para
Well, I used up my one credit from the last time I was down at West Beach
when we saved someone.
Dale had warned me, I had seen it and avoided it earlier, and then on my last flight, well, I found the kite.
On takeoff, I did not see the Barbie kite and ended up flying in the area. In fact, I had double checked my wing just to make sure I wasn't mistaken.
Someone was flying a white kite on fishing line about 200' up in the air.
I then flew down the beach and made a return trip. Before getting in the area, I specifically looked for the kite, did not see it, and flew near the south side of the coast line along San Luis Pass.
Just as I was coming up on the elevated road, I felt the wing tip collapse. After 125 hours in the air, this was the first time I have ever felt any type of collapse and was surprised. I felt the wing give (active piloting), and instantly it recovered. I was surprised it happened, but thought just maybe the winds had kicked up
as I was flying perpendicular to the wind.
I made a 270 turn into the wind and then headed back to the LZ. As I am coming over the area, everyone (can I say EVERYONE) was waving me down.
At this point in time, I still did not know what had happened.
I then make a landing, and the wing didn't flare as strong as I would have liked. I went to one knee.
I then get up, the wing is still flying, and begin dropping it. As it's dropping, it is only then I notice the tear.
God Almighty was looking out after me.
The wing in question was an Mac Para Eden 2 (DHV 1-2), 30M wing with approximately 125 hours on it. I was flying a PAP Corsair M21Y engine. My total upweight was approximately 310 lbs.
Other than the slight wingtip collapse, the Mac Para Eden 2 wing never lost energy and maintained shape ever after the big hole in the middle of the wing became evident to the folks on the ground. Quality construction. I can not overemphasize how it still managed to keep flying.
This could have been a hobby ending situation. Fortunately it wasn't. The wing is repairable, though it will take some time.
Someone caught some video that when it becomes available, I will post when it becomes available.
If anyone wants to know, I now have two 15M Eden 2 wings for sale. Slightly used.
Beery Miller
Picture above is the wing as it was actually flying on approach to the landing zone.
Picture above is a partial inflation of the wing on the ground showing the size of the rip.
Picture above is taken from a video capture as I was landing.
