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On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 9:41 AM, Bill Kennedy <bill_kennedy_3@hotmail.com> wrote:
I've always
though the lazy-eight is a great maneuver with the Lancair, and I've never
experienced any hickup doing them.
I've only just started reading the commercial maneuvers section, but
as it turns out, I've also been enjoying lazy-eights for some time in
the Lancair :) I usually gain 900-1000ft at the 90deg point, and then
trade it all back by the end of the 180. It feels like a very natural
way to stretch the legs of the airplane without a great deal of stress
on the pilot/airframe, or any abrupt change in direction.
Add slow flight maneuvering to your regimen. It's a great way to stall proof
yourself and make your coordinated control inputs nearly instinctive.
Agreed. I've been flying at a range of airspeeds, sometimes during
instrument approaches, but also when puttering around VFR. The range
of speeds with which the airplane can fly is really quite amazing.
Most of the non-normal flight maneuvers I do are limited to lazy-eights
(they're a thing of beauty), chaundels (sp), and extreme slow-flight. They
all have a very direct pay-off in developing a real feel for the airplane at
very low risk.
I'm going to start formally practicing the commercial maneuvers (I've
done most of them from time to time, but I think it's time to bring a
bit more focus to them). I have to say lazy-eights are a lot more fun
when started from 100ft, not 1500 :) I am also going to guess they're
considerably easier, because there is no mistaking what 0ft looks
like, whereas 1500ft looks much like 1300, 1500, or 1700ft. I love
being able to sense the rate of closure to the water and timing the
smooth pull so that the plane levels out precisely where you want it.
Statistics suggest that there are significant risks involved for you doing
this stuff. Make sure it pays off.
Absolutely, it's not something I'm approaching lightly. The other
day, I took the plane out to the place where I intended to try my
first roll, but I didn't pull the trigger. I didn't feel completely
prepared, and I wasn't positive that I successfully maintain positive
G. I was concerned that the cabin (which had a lot of loose items)
would get pretty chaotic. So, I scrapped the plan and decided to seek
some advice here first, AND prepare the cabin for next time (removing
all loose items, per the POH and common sense).
If I was more proficient, I would say that maneuvers which maintain
positive G wouldn't require a barren cabin, if the pilot has the
experience (which I do not, yet).
Thanks for the insight, Bill!
Keith
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