Gaston's VI 2009 Attendance
- Thread starter gprellwitz
- Start date
sba55
En-Route
Pete, you just have to hit them head on. None of that braking stuff.....
jesse
Touchdown! Greaser!
sba55
En-Route
Jesse, that's a crazy picture. Do deer usually go through the windshield like that? Maybe I'll brake next time afterall!
jesse
Touchdown! Greaser!
It is rare--but it happens--many people have been killed by taking a deer through the windshield like that. Most of the time you just level them with some front end damage but if they get into the air as you hit them it could be your end as well. Obviously the faster you hit them the worse it'll be.
It is far worse for motorcyclists--the fatality rate is something like 80% if you hit one on two wheels.
sba55
En-Route
I don't know. I think power and speed are the answers. Just hit them as fast as possible!!!
Ted
The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 30,006
- Display Name
Display name:
iFlyNothing
You may be on to something. Reportedly, this BMW hit a deer on the Autobahn at 140 mph. The driver wondered where the deer went. Here was the answer:
I think it's all how the accident goes, and how big the deer is. It's pretty hard to tell from the pictures how big that deer was.
I've not hit a deer yet. When I see them, I slam on the brakes and swerve as necessary. It's worked thus far.
Diana
Final Approach
Interesting how a thread about the fly-in has turned into disgusting pictures. 
Steve
En-Route
They are rather unflattering.
Interesting how a thread about the fly-in has turned into disgusting pictures.
Diana
Final Approach
You have a good point.They are rather unflattering.
Jeanie
Pattern Altitude
~~~~~~ Thanks, SCCutler. Is it windy in Arkansas?
I'll try not to hit any deer, pedestrians, or aircraft while landing at Gastons.
Jeanie
Pattern Altitude
And, I look forward to filling in another state on the picture..........
I'll look up that Mason Dixon line and see where it runs
I'll look up that Mason Dixon line and see where it runs
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
Felix - The proper technique is brake, but do not swerve. Deer through the windshield aren't as rare as Jesse thinks. Heck, every year we have one or two that make it through the windshield ALIVE, freak out, and usually jump through one of the remaining windows to get back out. Bad, if you're between the freaked-out deer and the first window it sees!
sba55
En-Route
Kent, I know. No swerving for me in a car. I don't like to give up control like that. Of course, if I have ABS, I might try to avoid the deer while braking, but I'm not going to try any crazy maneuvers.Felix - The proper technique is brake, but do not swerve. Deer through the windshield aren't as rare as Jesse thinks. Heck, every year we have one or two that make it through the windshield ALIVE, freak out, and usually jump through one of the remaining windows to get back out. Bad, if you're between the freaked-out deer and the first window it sees!
-Felix
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
Welcome a-board, Jeanie! Any friend of Dave's is a friend of ours.
As far as the traffic into Gaston's, people start showing up in larger numbers on Thursday, and keep showing up for the entire weekend. So, "a day" early isn't going to get you out of the big-traffic time. A week, maybe.
But, there's really not THAT much traffic - Just keep your eyes open, listen and make position reports, everything you should normally be doing anyway. Steve (AKA "Gaston's Approach" ) and others do a great job of keeping the traffic properly flowing and pilots advised.See you there!
Ted
The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 30,006
- Display Name
Display name:
iFlyNothing
Felix - The proper technique is brake, but do not swerve. Deer through the windshield aren't as rare as Jesse thinks. Heck, every year we have one or two that make it through the windshield ALIVE, freak out, and usually jump through one of the remaining windows to get back out. Bad, if you're between the freaked-out deer and the first window it sees!
I'll have to argue with that "proper technique." That would've put a lot of deer through my vehicles that I've avoided.
Maybe it's the best move for people who don't know how to drive and don't know the limits of their vehicles, but if you do, not hitting the deer is clearly a better option than hitting it at any speed.
gismo
Touchdown! Greaser!
You might get two states. Last year we had a poker run which took us 20 miles north into Missouri (KPLK).
Technically the Mason Dixon line separates Pennsylvania and Delaware from Maryland and West Virginia but it's often used (as I did) to separate the Confederate states from the rest of the US.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2005
- Messages
- 15,263
- Location
- Southeast Tennessee
- Display Name
Display name:
This page intentionally left blank
I lost a second cousin a number of years back this exact way. She was 16yrs old, new driver. Swerved to miss a deer, missed the deer, went under the rear wheels of the semi coming the other way. (country road) Killed instantly.
For most folks, stand on the ABS, and hold your course.
jesse
Touchdown! Greaser!
Felix - The proper technique is brake, but do not swerve. Deer through the windshield aren't as rare as Jesse thinks. Heck, every year we have one or two that make it through the windshield ALIVE, freak out, and usually jump through one of the remaining windows to get back out. Bad, if you're between the freaked-out deer and the first window it sees!
Statistically speaking it is relatively rare. In 2007 the Wisconsin DNR / Law Enforcement removed 35,685 deer carcasses from public roads. Out of those 35,685 deer impacts there were 14 fatalities, 100 incapacitating injuries, and 250 less serious injuries.
flyingcheesehead
Touchdown! Greaser!
You have insurance on your vehicles, right?
I know the limits of my vehicles just fine, but it's easy for the reaction to an unexpected encounter to be bigger than you intended it to be.
There's a reason trucking companies tell drivers right away in orientation to just hit the damn deer. We'd replace quite a few hoods each year, but you can buy a hell of a lot of hoods for what a rollover costs.
On a dry road in a car, a swerve small enough that the car stays on the road and out of opposing traffic is OK. In an SUV, full-size van or other such vehicle, it's a lot easier to roll over. Towing something, easier yet (due to the crack-the-whip effect). Wet, snowy or icy road and you're gonna go in the ditch.
Of course, the best solution is to keep your eyes scanning everywhere, not just on the road. The earlier you see the deer, the better braking works and the more time you have to react. AFTER braking, a quick re-evaluation and then a potential small turn is still the way to go. I have seen a lot of deer, but the only one I've ever "hit" if you can call it that just left a tuft of fur in the front bumper before it ran away. Not bad for an 80,000 pound vehicle.
The deer-through-windshield often doesn't cause any injuries, and I don't think they keep stats for that. The ones I've heard of, the deer either ended up in the passenger seat and went out the pax side window, or they hit right in the middle, ended up in the back seat and went out one of the back windows.
Also, there are quite a few deer carcasses that are removed by the people who hit them - In WI, if you kill a deer with your car at any time of year, you're allowed to keep it. Gun deer season is 9 days, vehicle deer season is all year long.
So, I'd guess there's more like 40K-50K deer that actually get hit. That's a lotta damn deer!
t0r0nad0
Pattern Altitude
Jeanie, welcome to the board! I look forward to meeting you sometime.
Unfortunately, it looks like it won't be at Gaston's this year. My sister is graduating from High School in PA that weekend, and I have too many other trips and other large expenses coming up this year that I need to budget for.
Unfortunately, it looks like it won't be at Gaston's this year. My sister is graduating from High School in PA that weekend, and I have too many other trips and other large expenses coming up this year that I need to budget for.
Ted
The pilot formerly known as Twin Engine Ted
- Joined
- Oct 9, 2007
- Messages
- 30,006
- Display Name
Display name:
iFlyNothing
You have insurance on your vehicles, right?
Of course, I carry full coverage on all my vehicles. That doesn't mean that's a reason to get into a wreck that's avoidable.
Maybe for you and in your case, but that's not always true. Techniques like that are handed out because the intended audience is generally viewed as not skilled enough to do better, which may or may not be the case. As you know, there's no "one best method" as every situation is different. Obviously, I'm not going to swerve to avoid something when I've got a big trailer on a twisty road and there's an oncoming car. When I'm in a more regular vehicle (like my Jag or truck) without oncoming traffic, the situation is massively different.
I can't remember the number of deer I would have hit if I'd just stood on the brakes and held course that I have successfully avoided by swerving out of the way. That said, there have been a number of times when standing on the brakes was the appropriate action. I've done this once or twice on motorcycles, especially, where I know I'm not skilled enough to swerve as needed. Comes back to knowing the limits of the vehicle and the driver.
[/quote]On a dry road in a car, a swerve small enough that the car stays on the road and out of opposing traffic is OK. In an SUV, full-size van or other such vehicle, it's a lot easier to roll over. Towing something, easier yet (due to the crack-the-whip effect). Wet, snowy or icy road and you're gonna go in the ditch.[/quote]
Which indicates that just braking and stopping is not always teh best move...
Anyway, clearly we have different views on it. Mine's worked for me 100% so far (although I fully believe one day it will fail).
AdamZ
Touchdown! Greaser!
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2005
- Messages
- 14,869
- Location
- Montgomery County PA
- Display Name
Display name:
Adam Zucker
~~~~~~ Thanks, SCCutler. Is it windy in Arkansas?
.
Usually not too windy but there is lots of HOT AIR!
- Joined
- Mar 2, 2005
- Messages
- 15,263
- Location
- Southeast Tennessee
- Display Name
Display name:
This page intentionally left blank
Usually not too windy but there is lots of HOT AIR!
At times, it was hella windy last year. I had one wild ride on the way out of there Sunday after brunch. I even wrote "wild wooly departure" in my log book.
bstratt
Cleared for Takeoff
Unfortunately I have a wedding that weekend.
EdFred
Taxi to Parking
Unless it's YOUR wedding, bail.
Dean
Pattern Altitude
EdFred
Taxi to Parking
Even if it is, BAIL!
Perhaps we should say ESPECIALLY if it is....
kevin47881
Final Approach
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2006
- Messages
- 5,128
- Location
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Display Name
Display name:
Jason W (FlyNE)
Well, Sunday also had us departing downwind. That was, um, an interesting takeoff for us as well with three aboard.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2005
- Messages
- 11,186
- Location
- Lone Jack, MO
- Display Name
Display name:
Greg Bockelman
That is exactly why I went solo and picked up the pax at Mountain Home.
I coulda done it, and even thought about it, but decided it wasn't worth the risk.
+1,000
jesse
Touchdown! Greaser!
Video of that takeoff..Overall, we had a lot more room left then some of the 'questionable' departures I watched.
kevin47881
Final Approach
Which is why I asked Tom to take the trip to Mtn. Home as conditions were outside my comfort zone. My pax were shuttled where I picked 'em up.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jul 4, 2006
- Messages
- 5,128
- Location
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Display Name
Display name:
Jason W (FlyNE)
I agree. We all talked about it quite a bit before we took off. I still don't regret the decision. It just wasn't quite as much room as I had on my other departures.
Thankfully one of the three people on board that day weighs like 28 pounds.
Diana
Final Approach
I just booked Cottage #12 for June 12th and 13th. I wanted #14, but somebody already got that one. OK, which one of you did that???