There is no way, shape, or form I want to touch the ground other than the
most controlled, slowest way possible. Then I am going to fly the trash to a
stop if I can.

Intentionally cartwheeling an airplane to "dissipate energy" doesn't sound
like anything close to a good idea to me.
--
Scotty G

When you land with the gear up, you stop in about 150 feet. I have plenty of
experience. Tell me again why you would want to cartwheel for 150 feet
rather than landing straight ahead.

--
Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, ASMEL, ASES, Comm, Inst
DynaComm, Corp., 248-345-0500, mailto:lorn@dynacomm.us
LNC2, FB90/92, O-320-D1F, 1,750 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan


What has me considering the Cartwheel is the two airports I fly out of.
Both are on top of steep ridges and are surrounded by trees.  If I can't
make it back to the airport, the choice is trees or some short clearings
(one is a baseball diamond surrounded by trees).  My situation is unusual,
one of the airports is in the foothills of the Sierra Mountains.  We
frequently are over large areas of trees with occasional clear cut areas of
2' to 3' stumps. The few twisty roads can barely be seen for trees. The
other choice is boulders. We usually pick the safest possible route when
departing or arriving.

If I had to put it down in an area too short or too rough I would sacrifice
the airplane and cartwheel.  I just think the odds are better.  Room to get
it stopped without hitting something?  Different story.

If George Gilboney chose to cartwheel I would be surprised, although he
ended up about 50 yards from a row of (F-15's?). We talked to him for about
20 min. three hours before the crash.  His craftsmanship was as good as I
have ever seen.  A really fine airplane was destroyed and a pilot walked
away. I think the guy in the Sun n Fun Seminar is on to something.  George's
cartwheel demonstrated that the maneuver is more than survivable.

Steve Colwell   Legacy