lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> << Lancair Builders' Mail List >> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<--->>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> We've all been in a similar situation before, flying our fast moving Lancairs around the pattern while following one or two slower aircraft ahead in the pattern. Okay, we'll do some S-turns, then extend the downwind leg a bit... Hmm, not enough, extend it a bit longer. Looks okay now, turn base, then to a five-mile final. Hey, where's the airport? Aircraft in front is still on short final and slowing down even further. Try to slow down, add flaps... more flaps, pitch up a bit, add a bit of power, more flaps... Aircraft in front finally touches down but still on the runway, taxing ever so slowly and we are now over the fence. No good. Have to add power and go around. You say to yourself, "Damm these pilots with slow planes, messing up my @##&&^^@ pattern!". Hey, chill out guy! At times, trying to land BEHIND the slower aircraft in the pattern can add a lot of tension and stress to the Lancair pilot. So ask yourself, do you REALLY need to land NOW? Most of the time you DON'T. So to reduce all this tension, why not stay at pattern altitude and simply go around the pattern via UPWIND leg and try again. Personally, I find it a lot less stressful and even pleasurable to gingerly do the pattern again ... and again if I have to. In addition, you give people on the ground a chance to admire your nice plane flying by... Just food for thought. ;-) Rick 'Grease' Argente Dogwood fly in, OR Bust! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>