John,

 

Good idea. I will attach a .pdf document from an article I wrote years ago for the American Bonanza Sociey on this subject later and hopefully Marv will post it on the web site --it has some good illustrations. Most of the information comes from the T-34 NATOPS manual (U.S. Navy)-- the Air Force has a coloring book for this but the concepts are similar (grin).

 

Basically the concept is this. Engine stops producing thrust at altitude. Pitch for best glide speed, identify nearest suitable landing site and head directly for it-- not abeam it, not a wide downwind for it-- but directly to it. With the Chelton or Garmin product this should be a piece of cake. Perform Emergency Checklist.  If you cannot restart- Throttle IDLE, Prop Control-- FULL AFT LOW RPM, MIXTURE IDLE OFF, FUEL SELECTOR OFF. Once over landing site (or before) evaluate surface wind conditions and determine direction of landing, survey landing site for obstacles. Spiral down over your landing spot-- not offset, but directly over it. About 30 degrees angle of bank will work. Correct for wind drift. Don't get blown away from site by wind. You should know by practice how many feet of altitude you will lose per 360 degree of turn. You want to plan on being upwind abeam (HIGH KEY POSITION) of your landing spot at say 1500' AGL in a BE 36 Bonanza at BEST GLIDE SPEED. Continue your bank angle to arrive abeam your landing spot on downwind (LOW KEY POSITION) at 1000' AGL at BEST GLIDE SPEED for a BE 36. Continue the bank to arrive at the 90 (MIDPOINT BASE LEG). Around the midpoint of base leg or the "90"-- GEAR DOWN, FLAPS DOWN.  You will be transtioning from BEST GLIDE SPEED to a lower approach speed arriving at "the fence" at your normal speed. From the "90" to touchdown keep your hand on the prop control and add RPM as you need it. More RPM will add drag and help you slow down.  It is nothing more than a drag brake. TURN OFF ELECTRICAL POWER before touchdown to reduce risk of fire.

 

You can practice this at home by starting on a normal downwind and pulling the power to idle when you are abeam your touchdown spot. Bring RPM to LOW and follow the above procedures. See how much altitude it takes to perform the maneuver. Do not forget to return the RPM to HIGH if you need power.  Remember "practice makes perfect".

 

Best Regards,

 

Jeff Edwards

CFI