Broken Wing

Video of the aftermath of the T-33 crash at CFB Trenton

The pilot is fine, the jet is not…

Reflections

Reflections of a day on the water

Why I do it

Sailing, achievement, freedom and a smile on their faces…

 

There are currently 64 Liberty being sailed in eleven countries. Twenty percent longer than the 303 but the same width makes the Liberty a very fast and high pointing sailing dinghy. The Liberty is indeed a totally accessible performance craft which anyone can sail, regardless of ability.

The high coamings and wide side decks keep the boat dry even at extreme angles of heel and the two high aspect rudder blades ensure directional stability. We do however recommend the “C” Crane and Keel Caddie for handling Liberty keels which weigh 70Kg.

The Liberty has two rudders because, being a single seater with the sailor possibly strapped in on the centreline, the boat has to be free to heel to extremes and still maintain directional stability. This is achieved as the Liberty heels, the canted leeward rudder digs in and becomes more efficient.

 

With a deep ballasted keel and all control systems right in front of you, the Martin 16 is the sport boat for sailors of all abilities. The lifting keel makes trailer launching simple from any ramp. There’s no need for a large crew — the Martin 16 can be rigged by one person and sailing in minutes.

 

The Access 2.3 Wide can be sailed sedately by two average sized adults, or as a sporty little racer by a single sailor. The sailor’s weight low in the boat enhances stability, but the Wide having narrow side decks needs the solo sailor to swivel their upper body weight to windward to keep the boat dry in breezy conditions.

Evil Musical Monkey

The Evil Musical Monkey, ruler of all things floaty on the water and supreme commander of all who would race boats under sail.

When displeased by poor sailing technique or tactics the Evil Musical Monkey will glare at you in a stern manner, grit his teeth and bang his cymbals together.

 

A transgressor is spotted and Evil Musical Monkey takes action!

Video, both serious and fun

 

 

 

 

 

Storm the beach

The men and women of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre (CFLAWC) (we don’t call them airborne anymore) storm the beach while I’m getting read to go sailing.

 

 

And we’re ready to shoot back…

More images here.

T-33 crash at Trenton

A flight safety investigation is pending after a privately-owned former military jet appeared to abort takeoff before crashing through a fence at CFB Trenton on Wednesday 15 July.

Capt. Mark Peebles, the base’s senior public affairs officer, said the T-33 had problems on takeoff at 12:12 p.m.

“It got airborne but then it returned to the surface and sped right off the end of the runway,” Peebles said.

“It went through a fence; it went over Perimeter Road; and it came to rest just inside the outer fence of the airfield by RCAF Road.”

The plane came to rest on its belly, one wingtip almost touching the fence.

Emergency crews arrived within three minutes and helped the pilot — the lone occupant — into a military ambulance, Peebles said.

Quinte West Fire Chief John Whelan, who was already in the neighbourhood, said he reached the base about five minutes after the landing.

At that point the pilot, wearing a flight suit, was sitting in a ditch about 500 metres from the plane, he said. By the time Whelan reached the actual landing site, he said, the pilot could be seen talking inside the ambulance.

In an early-evening new release, Peebles said the pilot has been released from Trenton Memorial Hospital. The nature of his injuries was not disclosed.

Military police secured the scene and firefighters sprayed fire-retardant foam as a precautionary measure.

“There is damage to the aircraft, however the extent of the damage and the nature of the damage I don’t know,” said Peebles.

The Canadair T-33 is the result of a 1951 contract to build T-33 Shooting Star Trainers for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The powerplant would be a Rolls-Royce Nene 10 turbojet instead of the Allison J33 used by Lockheed in the production of the original T-33. A project designation of CL-30 was given by Canadair and the name was changed to Silver Star. The appearance of the T-33 is very distinctive due to the large fuel tanks usually carried on each wingtip.

A total of 656 T-33 aircraft were built by Canadair.

More images here