Glider Pilot Relief Options
"You guys know the best part about wearing a diaper? HAHA, there's none. Absolutely nothing," Kathy Fosha explained to two pilots who complained about their external plumbing problems.
Males have a lot of options for a relief system. A ziplock freezer bag works great, especially if you are going to keep it. You can toss the pouch from a diaper or a tampon into the ziplock beforehand to absorb most or all of the liquid. I recommend going commando, as less material gets in the way. It also helps to practice in the bathtub. You WILL pee on yourself the first time.
I have also used small garbage bags that come on a roll, but those do not stay with me during the flight. Twist it well so it does not open up, and a good out and flick down of the wrist is always helpful as it leaves the cockpit. I remember hearing a story of a record attempt in a Duo thwarted because it re-entered the back seat through the open window.
Another option is a catheter and hose to extend the length, or I have seen some use a leg bag.
Some sailplanes have a built-in relief system. They use a more rigid tube that you would drop out the bottom of the glider. A PVC-style tube connecting the seat pan to the bottom of the fuselage allows for an easy guide out of the belly of the glider.
Another possibility is connecting a tube to the gear doors and lowering the gear door while you relieve yourself. I have also seen people hang the tube 6 inches behind the gear.
How do we connect our parts to this wonderful tube? The leftover Thanksgiving turkey baster works if you cut a hole in the top of the bulb. Another common option is the external catheter. I prefer adhesive ones, but I do not leave them in direct sunlight, which makes the adhesive work too well.
External relief systems are not without issues. Drilling holes in your glider might not be a good option. Urine is very corrosive, if it does not leave the slip stream it will cause rust issues on your rudder and/or gear assembly. Using water to flush the system during flight is a good idea, too.
If you're undecided on which option is right for you, you might want to reference Mark Mocho's (on RAS) description of a local pilot's bailout story: "A normal catheter stays on but will fail under tension loads at the outlet. Good to know."
Banner Photo by Mika Ganszauge
Garret Willat holds a flight instructor rating with over 8000 hours in sailplanes. His parents have owned Sky Sailing Inc. since 1979. He started instructing the day after his 18th birthday. Since then, Garret has represented the US Junior team in 2003 and 2005. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Professional Aeronautics. Garret represented the US Open Class team in 2008 and 2010 and the Club Class team in 2014. Garret has won 3 US National Championships.
