Re: [Paddlewise] Roof Racks

Another viewpoint from another pilot.

Aircraft always have backups to equipment, dual magnetos,
mechanical and electric fuel pumps, etc., anything that is
important and can be backed up, is backed up.

If carefull maintenance and preflight checking were so good
at preventing mechanical failure, there would be no need for
all of the backups.

I was once in the right seat of a medium twin, in the soup (on
instruments)
when we ended up "needle, ball and airspeed" with ice because both
vacuum pumps failed within 5 minutes. Tell me about how reliable 
mechanical devices are, and how I should trust my life and the lives
of others to only one system.

I tow a trailer, and it has a hitch that is very strong, plus safety 
chains in case the ball breaks or becomes disconnected. In addition
there is a system to apply the trailer brakes if the trailer becomes
completely disconnected from the tow vehicle.
Even though this is a very rare occurance, all of these things are
required
by law for my 10,000 lb GVW trailer.
The $50 dollars for the energency brake system is cheap insurance
compared to the risk of a runaway trailer. There is also the time 
required to charge the battery and hook up the system each time
I hitch the trailer. Still, cheap insurance.

I consider two redundant systems adequate only when there is a way
for me to know instantly when one system fails. I don't have anything
that tells me the moment a strap, of rack tower breaks, so I want at
least three ties on my boat.

I generally use a rack system that is bolted to the vehicle (not clamped
or strapped), two straps to hold the boat to the rack, and bow and stern
straps or ropes.

You are welcome to use as little or as much tiedown as you want, but
please
remember that you are responsible for any and all damage caused by things 
falling off of your vehicle.
I support your right to risk your own life, but I believe in limits on
your risking the lives of others on the road.

If you insist on using only two straps then I hope you carry very good
insurance. If your boat comes off and kills someone, you are going to 
need it.

If you have never been involved in a lawsuit then let me tell you that
one is much more expensive than two extra straps and a minute
or so to connect them.

michael

jcmartin43_at_aol.com wrote:
> 
> In a message dated 11/27/98 2:04:04 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> BDenton_at_aquagulf.com writes:
> 
> <<
>  I guess many years of flying have made me careful on my "preflight" which
>  includes manually testing all the towers and straps for any sign of movement
>  and checking the straps prior to use. I also tie up the ends in the event of
>  a buckle failure.
>   >>
> 
> As a pilot, I second Bob's sentiment.  And as a pilot, I can state
> definitively that I have never been killed in a plane crash; I cannot
> attribute this enviable record to the fact that I always looked for stuff
> nobody else would look for on a pre-flight, but I can't say it's <not> why I'm
> still alive, either.
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