Scattering ashes from 2,000 feet asl
Discussion
Possibly the most randomest of questions asked in here.
A colleague of mine has been tasked with the last request of a friend, which is to scatter his ashes in the air from a plane. I can't go into specifics as to his background, or why, but needless to say all the necessary permissions have been sought.
The problem he faces, is how.
The a/c (a small two seater propeller powered) will be able to slow to 80 knots and the canopy opened enough for the front seat passenger to hold his right arm out (and most of left arm).
We need a device that can be built, that will fit the following criteria:
1. Fit the ashes (average weight / cc)
2. Be secure enough for the take off/fly to drop area
3. Able to open in the cockpit without anything come blowing out (as will be windy with canopy open)
4. Easy enough to tip over the trailing edge of the wing
5. Have some method of securing the item to the passenger
6. Have no "loosable" parts - anything that can come off/loose must be attached in some way so i cannot fall back into the control column area
7. Dignified for the family/deceased
Thanks for your considerations
A colleague of mine has been tasked with the last request of a friend, which is to scatter his ashes in the air from a plane. I can't go into specifics as to his background, or why, but needless to say all the necessary permissions have been sought.
The problem he faces, is how.
The a/c (a small two seater propeller powered) will be able to slow to 80 knots and the canopy opened enough for the front seat passenger to hold his right arm out (and most of left arm).
We need a device that can be built, that will fit the following criteria:
1. Fit the ashes (average weight / cc)
2. Be secure enough for the take off/fly to drop area
3. Able to open in the cockpit without anything come blowing out (as will be windy with canopy open)
4. Easy enough to tip over the trailing edge of the wing
5. Have some method of securing the item to the passenger
6. Have no "loosable" parts - anything that can come off/loose must be attached in some way so i cannot fall back into the control column area
7. Dignified for the family/deceased
Thanks for your considerations
Would it be easier to do from the rear of a parachute plane? Just thinking, the rear door would give plenty of access and the urn could be ties securely to the 'operator' who would be securely harnessed to the plane. Another option would be from a glider which could be slowed to 35 knots (ish) quite safely.
Sgt Bilko said:
We need a device that can be built, that will fit the following criteria:
1. Fit the ashes (average weight / cc)
2. Be secure enough for the take off/fly to drop area
3. Able to open in the cockpit without anything come blowing out (as will be windy with canopy open)
4. Easy enough to tip over the trailing edge of the wing
5. Have some method of securing the item to the passenger
6. Have no "loosable" parts - anything that can come off/loose must be attached in some way so i cannot fall back into the control column area
7. Dignified for the family/deceased
I reckon a cloth bag made up with a wrist strap attached to the passenger and tied at the top with a ribbon that is sewn onto the bag would be good to go. Something like black velvety material with a black ribbon would be dignified enough I reckon.1. Fit the ashes (average weight / cc)
2. Be secure enough for the take off/fly to drop area
3. Able to open in the cockpit without anything come blowing out (as will be windy with canopy open)
4. Easy enough to tip over the trailing edge of the wing
5. Have some method of securing the item to the passenger
6. Have no "loosable" parts - anything that can come off/loose must be attached in some way so i cannot fall back into the control column area
7. Dignified for the family/deceased
Should be secure enough, for point number 3 I would make sure it had enough excess to be gripped tight in the hand its tied to then with the other hand undo the tie at the top, hand out into slipstream and away you go.
Try it out in a car on the motorway to make sure its secure enough and that ash or something similar can be emptied out. Might need to be lined with plastic.
Just an idea. It works in my head but describing it is the problem.
Interesting question.
What are thoughts in the below (I use some 'reference' items that we are all familiar with as I don't have an image)
What about a length of pipe (ea the inner tube from the long rolls of alu foil)at the end of which is a cloth pouch (think like a woman's purse) where the 'zip' section is velcro and is orientated such that the 'bag' if in the open position is sitting on the end of the pipe (like a grab so to speak). Velco is surprisingly secure so should hold up to the airflow and will allow an easy open at maximum appeture so as to allow the content to disperse.
Either side of the centre of the 'zip' two lengths of material (think like a a thin strap from a handbag) that goes along the length of the pipe back to the operator where it is secured to the bottom of the point.
Another strap attaches to the the two vertical straps say, st attachment points 1/4 the way from the bottom of the pipe,and this third strap loops down underneath the bottom of the pipe.
The operator extends the contraption to the airstream, holding the pipe with one hand and leaving the other to pull down vertically on the third stap, This in turn will pull the two vertical strap down, which pull the two sides apart at the top and unfolding the cloth all the way back and down, inside out essentially.
No loose parts, gives enough reach to get it far out in the slipstream and maximum chance of dispersal
What are thoughts in the below (I use some 'reference' items that we are all familiar with as I don't have an image)
What about a length of pipe (ea the inner tube from the long rolls of alu foil)at the end of which is a cloth pouch (think like a woman's purse) where the 'zip' section is velcro and is orientated such that the 'bag' if in the open position is sitting on the end of the pipe (like a grab so to speak). Velco is surprisingly secure so should hold up to the airflow and will allow an easy open at maximum appeture so as to allow the content to disperse.
Either side of the centre of the 'zip' two lengths of material (think like a a thin strap from a handbag) that goes along the length of the pipe back to the operator where it is secured to the bottom of the point.
Another strap attaches to the the two vertical straps say, st attachment points 1/4 the way from the bottom of the pipe,and this third strap loops down underneath the bottom of the pipe.
The operator extends the contraption to the airstream, holding the pipe with one hand and leaving the other to pull down vertically on the third stap, This in turn will pull the two vertical strap down, which pull the two sides apart at the top and unfolding the cloth all the way back and down, inside out essentially.
No loose parts, gives enough reach to get it far out in the slipstream and maximum chance of dispersal
mybrainhurts said:
hidetheelephants said:
A less fraught way of doing it might be to have the scattering done by a parachutist?
He'd bring it down inside the canopy and up his nose, you 'tard....
And my bold; getting down wit de yoof MBH?
ETF protection of MBH's dignity.
Edited by hidetheelephants on Monday 15th November 10:21
hidetheelephants said:
mybrainhurts said:
hidetheelephants said:
A less fraught way of doing it might be to have the scattering done by a parachutist?
He'd bring it down inside the canopy and up his nose, you 'tard....And my bold; getting down wit de yoof MBH?
Would you mind awfully editing my He's into He'd, old chap? Typo makes me look like a 'tard...
Ta muchly...
mybrainhurts said:
hidetheelephants said:
A less fraught way of doing it might be to have the scattering done by a parachutist?
He'd bring it down inside the canopy and up his nose, you 'tard....Edited by mybrainhurts on Monday 15th November 01:12
Yep my dad tried to do this for someone years ago, and sure enough the interior (plus my dad and the passenger) of the plane did get covered in ash as the wind blew it back in to the aircraft when they tried to release it.
The deceased was known for his fantastic sense of humour though, so who knows whether this is normal or not!
The deceased was known for his fantastic sense of humour though, so who knows whether this is normal or not!
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