Getting Planes out of Trees
I don't know if trees and planes are attracted to each other like magnets,
but
somehow we seem to be pulling someone out of a tree every few weeks.
Fortunately it is not me these days, though I am sure I will find one again.
I can see them reaching for the plane as I fly by. The guys tell me it is
the
wind, but I think they are calling my plane.
So, how do you get your plane out of a tree? Here are some methods I use,
or
have seen used. Some are simple and cheap. Some are complex and some are
expensive. You have to decide which to use and when.
In my book, chain saws, axes and things that will kill the tree are not an
option. Call me a tree hugger, but I just can't see cutting down a tree to
get a plane. There is usually a better option. I am going to list the
ones I know,
8-10 Feet (2-4 meters) -
Good old hand reach combined with anything to stand on and maybe a local
stick
or branch - Cost $0
10-30 Feet (3-10 meters) -
When I fly I bring an extension pole for a paint roller that I purchased
in Home Depot for $14. It extends to 12 feet. I have seen 4, 8 and 10
footers that double as well. I also have an 8 footer that almost triples to
about 22 feet. If you use some tape you can tape 2-3 of these together to
reach higher.
15-50 Feet (5-16 meters) - ( I have way too much experience at this height)
I carry a spool of 130 pound test mason's line in my field box that has an 8
ounce rounded fishing weight attached to it. Costs about $5 total. With a
good throw I can usually get it up and over the branch holding the plane so
I
can shake it free. Hitting the branch can take lots of throws and hitting
the
plane is a real risk, but it is better than leaving it there. If your plane
is sitting on a very strong branch, use the lighter line to pull up a
heavier
line.
Monofilament fishing line works very well too at it will slide down over the
branch more easily than the mason's line. I use 3-4 foot piece of rope with
weight on the end which I attach to the fishing line with a snap. The rope
is
easier to grab to make the toss and it is easy to remove. Works very well.
Plumbing parts, big bolts, anything can be used to weight the rope so it
will
go up to where the plane lies. 50 feet is about the max I have ever been
able
to reach this way and it is hard to get the line up that high.
A spinning rod with a weight might also work if you are talented with such
things, but 60 feet would be my guestimate on the limit on this.
Another way is to use aluminum downspouts, typically used for house gutter
system. Home Depot, Lowes and other home centers have them. They can be
taped together. Use something to bridge the joint to help keep them erect.
They are very light and fairly rigid. You can probably get up to 5 sections
reaching about 50 feet. Not sure if you can go much beyond that. Friends
have had good success with this.
30-100 feet (9-32 meters) -
A bow and arrow might work well at this height, but you'll have to develop
some skill
in order to get the needed accuracy. I estimate this at $50-$100 - One
problem is that you can get the arrow stuck on a different branch which only
compounds your problem. The line will have to be light, such as 5-10 lbs
test
monofilament fishing line, so use it to pull up
heavier line or so you can break it if the arrow gets stuck.
Other methods I have heard about but never used or witnessed.
Tree climber - Somehow every RC club has the phone number of a guy who
climbs
trees for a fee.
Helo - I heard of one guy who used an electric helo to fly a line and weight
up and had some kind of release to drop it onto the branch. Sounds like a
good justification for a helo when I speak with my wife.
A really original idea
Control line kite - This one surprised me, but one of our members got his
plane stuck in the top of a high tree, over 60 feet up. He also flies the
large kites that look like arc shaped parachutes. He has two control lines
on
the kite that let him direct it, dive it and move it around the sky. He
used
it to attack the tree until the tree gave up the plane. I like the idea of
attacking the tree without actually hurting it!
A Wanger - A device specifically for getting planes out of trees
http://www.slopeflyer.com/artman/publish/article_6.shtml
If you have similar or different methods, please list them. A fellow flyer
might need them some day.
Best regards,
Ed Anderson
aeajr on the forums
Long Island Silent Flyers |
Getting Planes out of Trees
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Posted - 08/31/2006 : 6:50:19 PM
