Hi Bill,
When I introduce a pilot to the Lancair 320/360,
I explain that they need to check out in two completely different
airplanes...dirty and clean. I have measured the glide ratio of our 320 with
power off, clean and the prop full aft at better than 20:1. That’s hardly a
brick, more like a Schweizer 2-33 glider.
At the other end of the spectrum is the same plane dirty. Now you have the
proverbial brick.
I regularly
practice power off approaches in both the 320 and the IV. Get training from a
LOBO or HPAT instructor and you’ll gain a great deal of confidence in handling
these planes power off. It CAN be done safely and consistently. One skill
that you’ll need to acquire is knowing when to convert from glider to
brick.
Bill Harrelson
N5ZQ 320 2,150 hrs
N6ZQ IV 350 hrs
Sent: Tuesday, August 13, 2013 9:25 AM
Subject: [LML] Re: Flaps on take-off?
That seems a scenario
where you would be in better shape with the flaps up. You very well might
make the runway. With flaps down, you likely would not and it would be
very dangerous to try and retract them. With the high wing loading that
all the Lancairs have, they are flying bricks with no power. I think
almost nobody makes the approach to land with no
power.
Remember way back in
primary training when the instructor had you remove power abeam the numbers and
make the landing without having to add power? Does anyone practice that
maneuver with their Lancair?
Bill
B