Bill,

 

Did the pilot in question actually spin in? I agree that proper “glide” ability is good, but, if I have a choice, I will take the one that gives me a longer glide every time. There is no question that a feathering prop will out glide a non feathering prop.

 

All I was doing is suggesting a couple of ways that the incident might have had a better outcome. (:

 

Regards,

 

Lynn

 

 

If you really want cheap insurance, learn how to glide and make a power off landing. Glide performance in a spin is really poor and the landing is no better (always fatal as far as I know). The kind of prop doesn't really matter. The pilot should be able to tell pretty quickly whether he can make a field or not, certainly 7,000 feet gives you plenty of time to analyze your glide. If you can't make it to the spot you want, land in a field. Airmanship is the best insurance I can think of.

> To: lml@lancaironline.net
> Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 16:33:59 -0500
> From: farnsworth@charter.net
> Subject: [LML] Re: Legacy Crash Watsonville?
>
>
>
> It is my understanding that the crash occurred close to the airport. I think
> I read it was about 1 mile. If that is true I think that the glide range
> difference between a standard constant speed prop and a feathering prop
> would have made the difference between making the airport and not.
>
> I believe it was reported that the pilot said he was at 7,000' when the
> problem occurred. The fact that he made it to within 1 mile of a safe
> landing with a standard prop (I don't know if he pulled his prop control
> back of not. I think the engine was not turning at the time of ground
> contact.)is evidence that the higher glide ratio of the feathering prop
> would have extended his range enough to land at the airport. With loss of
> oil pressure the feathering prop I have in my plane feathers automatically.
> It does not require me to pull the prop control back.
>
> Three years ago, at the Reno Air Races, Lee Behel was flying his Legacy in
> the valley to the West of Stead when he had an engine failure. It was touch
> and go on whether he would have an off airport landing or not. The
> difference was the feathering prop on his plane. If he had had a standard
> prop he would not have made the airport for an uneventful landing.
>
> I just think a feathering prop is cheap insurance.
>
> >
> > Lynn Farnsworth
> > Super Legacy #235
> > TSIO-550 Powered
> > Race #44
> > Mmo .6 Mach
> > Feathering Prop
>
>
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>
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