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Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:17:48 -0500
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From: Tom McNerney <dudewanarace@yahoo.com>
Subject: Down Flap Relay Failure
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I thought I would share my recent flap relay failure.=A0 Looking back on wh=
at happened I think it was an interesting experience, and how my training k=
icked in.=0A=0ASo I turn downwind and slow to below gear speed.=A0 I drop t=
he gear and look for flap speed.=A0 Before I turn to base I usually add a b=
it of flaps.=A0 Maybe 2 seconds worth.=A0 After selecting flaps I found a h=
uge change in pitch trim and a noticeable drop in airspeed.=A0 I looked out=
 at the flaps and found them to be fully extended.=A0 So much that I could =
see straight down do the ground. (or at least it seemed like it)=A0 Instant=
ly I added some power with little results.=A0 I selected flaps up with no r=
esults.=A0 A quick look at the flap breaker sticking out explained that one=
.=A0 At this point I decided to not mess with anything else in the cockpit =
and just fly the plane.=A0 Probably that Skip Holm training kicking in.=A0 =
It also felt like I just deployed a drag chute, as the airspeed was droppin=
g quickly.=A0 I came back with a couple turns on the prop and what I think =
was about half throttle.=A0 During the confusion I had cut the turn from ba=
se to final and was a
 bit high for the approach.=A0 With plenty of runway left I was ok with tha=
t.=A0=A0I did not want to go around, period. =A0I found a power setting tha=
t let me hold my current airspeed and gave me some pitch feeling back.=A0 B=
eing high on final I pointed the nose down and came back a bit on the power=
.=A0 I have never been in a Lancair that was pointed down like this one and=
 it didn't speed up.=A0 Combine that with the 16 gusting to 22 headwind and=
 I had a very slow ground speed.=A0 It felt like I was flying a Vans RV on =
final. haha=A0 Everything was feeling good so I even made a normal radio ca=
ll. :)=A0 Touchdown was very smooth, I have no idea how.=A0 I do remember t=
hat I was full aft on the stick, or pitch up.=A0 This is a small tail 360.=
=A0 The one time I wish it was bigger.=A0 My normal landing does not consis=
t of full flaps, let alone the mechanical limit of the flap motor, because =
of the small tail.=A0 I can not trim to a neutral stick and I am not comfor=
table
 with the lack of pitch up.=0A=0AThe down flap relay stuck closed causing t=
he flap motor to run. When this happens it cuts the limit switch out of the=
 loop.=A0 Yeehaww=0A=0AI have ordered new relays from Lancair.=A0 Just curi=
ous if anyone knows if the relays are the same as what came with the early =
90's kit?=A0 =0A=0ATom McNerney=0Awww.N54SG.com