Guys and Girls,
Let me share a little Air Force doctrine for you to
ponder.
First, Whenever you experience
structural damage in flight, whether from a bird, midair, someone shooting at
you or anything else, the safest speed is the one you are at - assuming
that you are still controllable. Probably somewhat slower if you are
not. This is because the stall speed is expected to increase with any
damage.
Second, Climb at a safe airspeed to a
safe altitude for a controllability check and possibly bailout.
I realize that we seldom fly with a chute and this
part is of limited use.
The controllability check is a gradual
slowing down to see if the plane is still controllable at a speed at which it
can be landed safely. Use flaps only if they appear
undamaged.
Tricycle gear airplanes have a maximum landing
speed where the nosewheel touches down first initiating a porpoise and probable
gear collapse. My 360 would probably be porposing badly at speeds about 50
kts above normal landing speed. This is a hard number to get exact data
on. You can gradually increase landing speeds until you touch down exactly
3 point and then figure somewhat more as a practical limit.
I would do the controllability check as a means to
determine how messy the landing could be. Then go somewhere with plenty of
emergency equipment if needed and maybe even land gear up.
Lastly, After the controllability check,
maneuver to your landing while holding a speed at or above the minimum you flew
on the check.
There are other checklist items also as appropriate
from your manual.
Mark Ravinski
360 1445 hrs
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 3:30
PM
Subject: [LML] Re: My three
Birdstrikes
I have hit three birds so far in Lancairs.
One on
Takeoff at Night. 120knts
Broke the spinner.
One at
8,000 feet over the Columbia River in Oregon. 170 knts
Cracked the
Cowl
One on Extended Base 140 knts
Cracked the
Cowl
.
Birds love me.
Scott
--- On Sun, 9/7/08, MikeEasley@aol.com <MikeEasley@aol.com>
wrote:
From:
MikeEasley@aol.com
<MikeEasley@aol.com>
Subject: [LML] Re: high speed passes and
go arounds
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Date: Sunday, September 7,
2008, 3:09 PM
One argument I've heard concerning high speed passes is the
potential of a bird strike. At high speed the impact of a bird
is much more dangerous than if it happens at approach speeds.
I'm not sure how valid the argument is, but it makes sense to
me.
Mike Easley
Colorado Springs
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