Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

[Victor Gisclair]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

I didn't take pictures of the plane in the pond, I didn't think about it at the time. I wish I would have taken pictures. I was more worry about getting the plane back on dry land. I tell everyone when I paint from now on I am not flying and maybe not driving either. Hey on Landings that you walk away from, does that include one that you swim away from. The damage to the plane was all cause by removing it from the pond. Nothing that can not be fixed.

[Dick Smith]

Re: Great fun...but serious consequences.

I just ran through the names of 9 people I've known on a first name basis since moving to Alaska in 1969...who died in general aviation pileups and took another 14 people with them...and I'm sure I missed some names...let's use our heads and watch out for each other...if you see something I'm doing that sets off an alarm in your head, don't hesitate to ask me about it; or if you see something you think is amiss on my plane or that catches your attention, point it out! Tunnel vision is a reality.
Dick

[Victor Gisclair]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Hi Dick I second that.

[Len Petterson]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Dick,
you are rigth we all need to be like the fighter pilots, watch out for our friends and wingmans.
That is what this website is all about!
I estimate my next "squicker" is a looooooooooooong time comming.
but I working on it!
Big head. no but it's fun to succed sometime.
Len

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

I have that little voice that starts squeeking in the background in my head. I used to ignore it and it took a few accidents before I started to listen to it. The last one was a broken femur 6 inches below my hip. NOW, as soon as that voice goes off, I immediately stop what I'm doing and obey "the voice".(this would be a seperate from my wifes voice.......which generally has the same effect!)

Another interesting note.....we fly a lot of RC planes out here too. Usually sunday late afternoon after everyone has finished flying. That is when the coke machine starts spitting out beer. Through a bit of experience, we decided that when Beer-30 comes around, the RC planes go away too. After just 1 beer everyone noticed that their coordination with flying a model went to hell in a handbasket!! It was quite eyeopening! So watch out for fumes and entertaining beverages!!!

Richard Boyer
N95791
Georgetown, TX

[crispy critter]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Richard,
We do a lot of the same thing around here.Put the big toys in the hanger drag out the little ones(some of them ain't too little)out of the hanger loft,garage,closet,or any other place that we can keep them out of the wifes site,check the batteries,top off with nitro(or 2 cycle gas depending on which ones we drag out),and open a beer.When the airplanes start getting fuzzy on final approch we know it is either getting too dark or we're getting too drunk.....either way it means it's past time to quit or go pick up the pieces .
What kind of R/C's do ya have.I have a 1/5 waco,1/4 extra 300,Hanger 9 clipped t-craft,40 size Sig Smith mini,Carl Goldburg J3 Cub,and I am thinking about the new 1.20 size Stearman ARF that everyone is talking about.I've been dropping hints to my wife left and right about the Stearman hoping she will tell Santa to bring me one for X-mas.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

I took a look at the plane this morning, and everything is O.K.. It looks like the only thing damaged was my ego. Anyone have any advice on the numbers to use for short steep approaches? I was decending at 45 IAS, rounding at about 5 feet, and slowly coming back on the power to lower the plane to a tail low wheel landing. The two before the bounced landing were fine, as were the two after. I'm just trying to re-learn how to do this with something that doesn't have flaps, and has a slightly higher wing loading than my ultralight.

[CraigH]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Sabrina,
Sounds to me like you just didn't arrest the rate of descent soon enough. If you're trying for short landings, I had the best luck in the F21B coming down in a slip and then adding a bit of power about 20ft up to arrest the rate of descent.

Practice, practice, practice.

[Yellow Duck]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Vic called me right after his mis-hap. What could I say ? Been flying for 50 years now and I have made my share, but not going to list them. LOL

Kevin in 40 years as a flight instructor, I have only refused to NOT solo one person. An elderly gentleman (was younger than I am now). He had a license,but purchased an Cessna 180 (T/W) Between the prop, cowl flaps and the T/W. Was too much for him. I gavehim 10 hours and then turned him over to anther Instructor, he didn't solo him either. He then moved him to another for another 5 hours. He said "no way". And the gentleman sold the 180, purchased a 182 and did very well.

[Jim Hartley]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Sabrina all I can say is...and I know you have heard it many times..."Those who have and those who will." It keeps us humble,lol.

Jim

[jgerard]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Sabrina,

The the best thing to do is go up and practice "gliding" in that additude to get a real good feel on how fast and how mutch power is needed to stop the glide. By pumping the yoke you can feel how mutch boyancy (read stick & rudder) is available. As you found out, wind is allways a factor especialy near the ground where it can suddenly dissapear. That is why I make a point of flying on windy days just to get practice.

Jason
N43643

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Jason et.al.,
Thanks for the suggestions, I'm going to go up with someone who used to fly his Maule in South America as a missionary so he can help me perfect my short field technique in a Taylorcraft. I'll let you guys know how it turns out.

[lktiller]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

I must make short/soft field landings every time at my home strip. 100 ft tall trees at each end. Approach over neighbor's homes.
When the instructor says a good landing is preceeded by a good approach, believe him.
Here's my technique: (also makes for good neighbors) I set up my approach such that on a 1/2 mile final I am 500 ft AGL and 55 mph indicated.
Throttle to idle, enter a hard slip and keep the speed between 55 & 60.
Right up to 3 feet above the ground.
Flare, Relax the rudder, keep any wind correction, touchdown. All in one smooth motion and in that order. Speed bleeds off rapidly during this type of flare but there is enough time and altitude to arrest the descent and get the plane straight before the wheels touch. (seconds)
This technique, even with a tail wind, will end in a three-point landing. Sometimes tail-wheel first. A good result is that long wing is through flying the moment the wheels touch down. No sailing past
Yes, I have stalled it at 3-foot altitude. Surprising when the yoke seems to unhinge and the wheels hit.
That points out one of the nicest things about the Taylorcraft. Nothing is damaged!
After practicing this, if you find you don't have enough elevator authority to flare smoothly, you might want to check weight and balance. CG might be a bit forward. Landing is better in 95901 if the fuel tank is near to minimums. Fully loaded fuel and with two people, I use the same numbers but the descent rate increases. I'll straighten the plane sooner to let the wings grab a bit more air and flare a bit harder.

[taylorcraftbc65]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

When I quit flying at about 5 feet up, I had a half tank in the cowl, nothing in the wing tank, I weigh 220Lbs, and my friend Jim weighs 240.
The wind was erratic and gusty, from about 8 to 20 MPH, swinging from straight down the runway, to a 20 degree left quartering cross wind.

[alwaysoar]

Re: Bad Pilot, BAD Pilot

Under those circumstances it looks to me like you did a pretty good job--what makes you think you are a BAD pilot?