With Mark Windsheimer’s expertise (http://airtimeabove.com/), we took the sail off my AtosVR to assess the impact of my downwind flip-wack landing last month…
The good news is that we decided we could epoxy/fiber fix the top of the above downtube and save me 600 plus dollars for a new one.
The bad news is that the right D-cell is structurally compromised. This long crack meets and then follows above the I-beam with a raised/de-laminated looking bubble for 4-6 inches. While that’s the part that makes it compromised, you should see the 4ft long crack on the other side of this D-cell. That picture is a few pic’s further down. I’m having a difficult time visualizing the way my impact caused these cracks but I suspect that the weight of my body cramming down on the undersurface of the Atos as we did a robust ground tumble could have been the greatest force the wing encountered. Below picture shows the same crack, but you can see the bubbling over the I-beam better.
The long crack below:
Leaving Mark’s house at 9,000ft with Winter setting up shop.
Remember Mac’n’Cheese?
This problem is far reaching since a new D-cell is $4-6,000. Haven’t figured out what’s to become of my Zapata aspirations in 2011, except that I’ve been planning my life around it. If anyone has sponsorship experience, some ideas would be priceless? Please help!
Recognize this glider I happened upon when I was at this website? 1 Million dollars to the first person to guess his name.. http://www.merriam-webster.com/browse/dictionary/q/quantifying.htm
Parts bent/broken: Heart Bolt, 2 dntube pins, right D-cell
Parts needing repair: Left D-cell, both Dntubes, flap rope
Sad day…
Cloud Base addict 
BJ, real sad to see your mistress in such sad shape. I know what its like to make plans for record chasing. You may want to have someone like Yankee Composites in Northern California have a look at the damage. Sometimes there is some magic that can happen.
I had started planning on upgrading my 2006 VR to a VR10… then I started to worry about “what if”…. I finally came to the conclusion that if I destroyed my 2006 I would be sad… If I busted a 2010 … I would shoot myself. I hope it all works out for you.
Martin
By: Martin Henry on November 30, 2010
at 4:47 am
Pilot in that ad is Paul Voit. Hope you have fixed your VR, sad to be without a VR.
Dave
By: david hopkins on December 10, 2010
at 10:32 pm
I take that back, Pilot in the bank ad is Ryan Voit Pauls son.
Dave
By: david hopkins on December 11, 2010
at 10:27 pm
one QUESTION. How did you get caught landing down wind in 12 mph? I screwed up and didn’t recognize a 10 mph cross and flared to much and ground looped which took out both d-t pins. That was when I was new to my VR.
Dave
By: david hopkins on December 11, 2010
at 10:35 pm
Hi:
I have been watching blog.fourherrings.com staying lurker for a while now.
I made the decision that I need to get involved and socialize with the users here.
I’m hoping to connect with a lot of insightful people today and learn some fantastic stuff.
I really hope this post isn’t in a bad section. I pray you’ll forgive me if “./index.php?sid=3f35d67a00457ae9524219d238345d36” is inappropriate.
——————–
RUSS GILL
Administrative Assistant
By: SadyShooppeaF on December 29, 2010
at 11:29 pm