Sender: <marv@lancaironline.net> (Marvin Kaye)
To: lml
Date: Fri, 14 Jun 2002 19:40:25 -0400
Message-ID: <redirect-1293738@logan.com>
From: Dr Michael A Fopp <70734.101@compuserve.com>
Subject: Stalls & Spins
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Hi everyone,

My "tuppence worth" is that each year in the UK we have to carry out a
Permit to Fly Renewal Test Flight and submit the data to our certificatio=
n
authority.  I did mine last week as it happens and I took my 320 up to
buffet, recorded the IAS, and then to a fully developed stall and recorde=
d
the IAS.  This was done clean and with full flaps.  Each time I do this
annual test I am very aware that, unlike the certified aircraft that I fl=
y,
the Lancair has not had comprehensive spin testing.  However, a properly
entered stall should not result in a spin and whilst I have had a slight
wing drop on occasions it has recovered with standard stall recovery.  I =
am
required to do a full Mass & Balance calculation before these flights - n=
o
body has mentioned this aspect of stalls/spins but you certainly WILL spi=
n
if the aircraft is overweight and out of balance.  Recovery from a spin i=
n
an unbalnced aircraft is also much more difficult.

In between these annual tests I do monthly emergency gear lowering tests
(as recommended by Lancair).  These are usually combined with about 15
minutes of slow flight practice which I think is essential for currency i=
n
the 320/360.  The difference between buffet and stall is a few knots and
the buffet might be imperceptible if you are in a high workload situation=
. =

My answer to all this is that, in normal day-to-day flying, I never fly
slower than 90 kias until over the hedge for landing.  I recommend that
this is a rule for Lancairs - pick a speed below which you will not go
UNLESS you are testing or calibrating (at a safe altitude) for me its 90
knots.  I add to this rule that, once below 120 kias, all turns are rate
one or less.  I don't have an AOA fitted - if I did I might modify my
self-imposed 'rules' a little.

I hope this is helpful, and happy landings ( which I am having after
installing the TK5 oil/airdampers!!!!),

michael

(LNC2 G-FOPP based at Cranfield, UK)

 Dr Michael A Fopp =

 michael_fopp@compuserve.com
 Signed in the UK at 17:14 (ZULU) on 14-Jun-02