Lazair pics
Thanks for the suggestions. I had always wanted a lazair since I saw one built while in High school (80s). I had been practicing taxiing at various times for several days over a couple of months. I had tried some hops and just wasn't comfortable and the overhead stick just never felt right for me. I had a friend fly it for me to a better field and that evening before we put it up, I decided to try it out on the new field. I was encouraged to go ahead and take it off and see how it feels. I didn't really plan to take off. I started out and in trying a very low hop, I began a climb, my first in this plane. It climbed amazingly easy and in my awe, I was not realizing that I'm drifting to trees on the left. When I tried to correct, I was climbing too much to correct to the right properly so I just pulled back all the way right at the tree line, the tail hit the tree top and it instantly turned nose down and proceeded to fall straight down through the pine forest. I didn't snag anything along the way down, I saw everything as the ground approached and it was faster than any roller coaster I have ever been on. It's amazing I didnt break more. I have 5 broken bones in my foot as it looks like the aluminum under the rudder pedal hit my foot on impact. At the time I just pulled it off not paying much attention to exactly what it was on my foot. I am guessing I pulled my foot off the pedal during the freefall, otherwise I may have no foot problem at all. At the impact I felt my back instantly hurt. I fractured an L1 vertebrae, but my pain is coming from lower previous problems. I was wearing a full face helmet and seatbelt which all should do. Looking back, I should have never let myself climb out. I was not thinking ahead of the aircraft which I beleive to fly you must anticipate control movements before they are needed. Regarding the plane, some on this site may know it, The green monster. Its beautiful. Linked is a picture of it before flight and a pic face down in the ground. It is fully repairable, however I am still deciding whether to part it out or attempt to sell it as one unit. The 185s are in excellent shape and I think have very low hours. Anyway, any comments are welcome.
BE CAREFULL
Click my link above to see my two posted pics