[Chris McKeon]

You Know I put Myself in the worst Jam that I could have imagined. I really do mean that. But if I had not pile drove Myself into the Ground, I never would have made the acquaintance of many of You right here on this Board I also have experienced nothing but support and Kindness from Pilots up here in Northern California. It is starting to look like my first flight in 11 Years 6 Months might very well take Place at Dockweiler Beach. Where I might very well end up Flying Franks Condor, Hey thank You Frank. Just to think that there is a possibility that I might Fly again Gives Me Chills up and down My Spine.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Hi Chris,

Here's the diagram to take the 18 measurements. It's animated, and it will show each measurement in red along with the number from the table below.

Glider_Measurements_Numbered.gif (1.79 MiB) Viewed 2715 times

#	Name	Value	Description
1	Length of Leading Edge		Length of the leading edge from nose to tip
2	Length of Keel		Length of the keel
3	Keel Front y		Distance from the origin to the front tip of the keel
4	Keel Rear y		Distance from the origin to the rear tip of the keel
5	Wing Tip x		Distance from the origin to the right wing tip
6	Wing Tip z		Vertical distance between the origin and right wing tip (this might be hard to measure, so just estimate it)
7	Control Bar Height		Vertical distance from the base tube to the keel (perpendicular distance from the keel to the base tube)
8	Control Bar Width		Width of the base tube from corner to corner
9	Control Bar Location		Distance along the keel from the nose to the apex of the control frame
10	Control Bar Rake		Horizontal distance along the keel from the apex of the control frame to the base tube (this may be hard to measure, so just estimate it)
11	Cross Bar at Leading Edge		Distance along the leading edge from nose to cross bar junction where the cross bar meets the leading edge
12	Cross Bar at Keel		Distance along the keel from the nose to the cross bar where it crosses the keel
13	Cross Bar z from Keel		Vertical distance between the keel and the cross bar (typically 0 to a few inches)
14	Kingpost at Keel		Distance along the keel from the nose to the kingpost (you can also measure from the rear of the keel and subtract from the keel length)
15	Kingpost Height		Vertical distance (perpendicular to keel) from the keel to top of the kingpost
16	Kingpost Rake		Horizontal distance (parallel to keel) between top and bottom of kingpost
17	Trailing Edge		Distance along the keel from the nose to the trailing edge of the sail
18	Rear Wire		Distance along the keel from the nose to the rear wire where it attaches to the keel

Also, since you called about measurement 10 (Control Bar Rake), I've posted that frame below. Measurement 10 is shown by the red line at the bottom. It is the distance (parallel to the keel) between the base tube and the apex (where the downtubes meet the keel). If you have a speedbar (curved base tube), then measure as if it were a straight base tube. The software doesn't model curved base tubes yet. Here's a picture showing Measurement 10 in red:

Measurement_10.png (67.26 KiB) Viewed 2710 times

Note: I used the word "rake" as defined in Wiktionary:

    "A divergence from the horizontal or perpendicular; a slant, a slope."

With that usage, you might say "The base tube is raked forward about a foot from the apex point".

[Chris McKeon]

Well I have not been able to complete the Measurements that I wanted to take on My Predator. This was because the one Person who would have been able to Help Me my sister Kathleen. was over at her Daughters Helping her Daughter Kaitlin with Her New Born Child Stevie. You see Stevie's Father Niko who Kaitlin positively adored, Niko Died in a Car Crash Two Days ago. I tell You this is a real bad time up here. Niko truly Loved Kaitlin, and had taken to His Daughter very well. He was a great Worker, and provider. In fact He had just gotten a promotion at work that He was going start functioning at the Day He Died.

But as soon as Kathleen is here I will ask here to help Me take the Predator Measurements.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Niko Died in a Car Crash Two Days ago.

I am very sorry Chris. Please pass my condolences on to Kathleen and Kaitlin.

We're in no hurry to get those Predator measurements. Be as supportive as you can to your family during this terrible tragedy.

[Chris McKeon]

Well either I have devolved into a weak-suck, or My Predator Wing has shrunk, probably it is a little bit of both. Anyways; I have come up with a Device that will enable Me to tension my oh so tight sail, using Mechanical advantage. I have a piece of flat stock that is about 10" by about one and a half feet long. that I have mounted a piece of wood that is about 1.5" square wood stock that will act as a stop that the keel will be able to remain where I need the keel to not move when \i insert the lever into the in the Haul-Back. I have mounted another block of wood to act as a deadman for my lever to be able to use Mechanical advantage.It is simply embarrassing how darn weak I have become. you see two days ago I dislocated My Left arm at the shoulder.

I KNOW I KNOW I AM A Bucket of Bolts. But at least I am up and around, walking, working. THinking. and Talking. Believe it or not but the fact that I am able to type these Boasts is truly something Special. The fact that I am able to be able to do anything is not something my Doctors predicted of me oah say 11 years ago.

Mark My words, I will Fly My Predator again.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Mark My words, I will Fly My Predator again.

I believe you will, and we'll have a celebration right here in this topic.   

[Chris McKeon]

Well. I must admit that I am a Busted up Predator Pilot, nothing more than that. Yet I still have the want, in fact I have the; [Want to Fly] something fierce, I've got it bad. Also as that old saying goes: [If there is a will then there is a way.] I'm working on My WILL.

[Bob Kuczewski]

Well. I must admit that I am a Busted up Predator Pilot, nothing more than that. Yet I still have the want, in fact I have the; [Want to Fly] something fierce, I've got it bad. Also as that old saying goes: [If there is a will then there is a way.] I'm working on My WILL.

I don't think there's anything wrong with your "WILL".
I think it's your "WAY" that could use some work.

[Chris McKeon]

Check this out. When I first flew My Predator twenty or so years ago.It just blew My mind with the Performance that it had to offer. After one of My flights where I had some incredible flying to report. Take note I called John in order to Crow about this Gliders ability to kick a**. I called John quite often by the way. I mean what a Glider!

Right now, currently I just hope that one Day I will once again be flying my Predator.

[Bill Cummings]

Chris, We haven’t met so I don’t know how far your recovery progressed.
I’m wondering how much of your automatic muscle memory is still with you.
I would assume that during your lifetime you have ridden a bike.
Since your accident have you ridden a bike and did you retain your
ability or did you have to relearn?
A training glider at Dockweiler for getting back in the harness should be
a safe way to find out how much you have retained of your talent.