|
|
On Aug 6, 2004, at 9:49 AM, Metcalfe, Lee, AIR wrote:
You MUST, on a REGULAR BASIS, practice for
enroute and traffic pattern engine failures
This brings up a good point. How many of us fly patterns that would allow us to make the runway after an engine failure at ANY point during the pattern? I know I have seen more than one Lancair-747 fly a, well, jumbo jet pattern. I was thankfully taught from day one that it is IMPORTANT to fly a pattern that will allow you to make the airport (notice I didn't say runway) at all times. Not only does this make you more safe, it makes you safer! :) The most under utilized approach, IMHO, is the overhead approach. While not standard (and therefore needs to be used judiciously), it assures you of making the runway at all times once within gliding distance, it gives you the best view of the pattern to see and avoid other traffic, and is *way* more fun than the standard pattern. It also gives you consistent practice on power off (i.e. deadstick) approaches. It does require proper training and a different mindset when entering an uncontrolled pattern, but I cannot tell you how many times it has allowed me to safely/quickly get on the ground when the pattern is full of much slower airplanes. It has also been useful on one occasion when I had a stuck throttle...over the numbers, break, mags off, land....not something I want to do again, but it was definitely easier/safer than trying to gauge when on final I had the runway made.
Barry
122LL
|
|