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<< Lancair Builders' Mail List >>
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In a message dated 10/6/0 10:50:30 PM, Hal Woodruff wrote:
<<I think that I flew into some kind of wind shear, or thermal gust.>>
I almost lost my Cessna 150 to this a few weeks ago. It was 100 degrees (or more) outside and I was landing at Lancaster Fox Airport, my home base in the Mojave desert. The ground is very light colored and the asphalt is jet black. I was expediting my approach 'cuz my wife was getting airsick in the turbulence and I dropped full flaps abeam the numbers. (All 40 degrees, not those wimp 30 degree Cessna 152 flaps!) I got a little slow on short final and probably went over the threshold at 57 mph, instead of the usual 60-70 mph.
I used up all the energy I had in the flare and THEN hit a huge updraft, probably caused by thermal activity on the black asphalt. There I was, just like Hal, nose high and feeling like the air had just disappeared. I threw in half power and still sunk like a rock, barely arresting the sink rate enough to save the airplane from what was still a tooth-rattling landing.
Five lessons:
(1) Look at the airport surroundings and try to guess what the air will do. Flying a Cessna is like being a ping pong ball on the ocean surface -- you go where the air wants you to go. Lancairs can obviously punch through more than 150's, but even they have limits.
(2) If you need power to save a suddenly-exciting landing, use it all! If it's too much, you can always go around.
(3) I was considering installing a vernier throttle. This is the time when I would forget to push the button. I'm installing a friction-lock throttle in my 360. Your choice, but think about this.
(4) I was landing a Cessna 150 on a 7200 foot runway on a highly non-standard day. Why did I think I needed to land in the first 10 feet?
(5) Ignore your passengers in the pattern. They can barf all by themselves. Your job is to fly the airplane.
Next time I'll heed these lessons.
I already expressed by condolences to Hal and rejoiced in his personal survival. He truly had a beautiful airplane. I expect no less from his Lancair 4 in progress.
- Rob Wolf
LML website: http://www.olsusa.com/Users/Mkaye/maillist.html
LML Builders' Bookstore: http://www.buildersbooks.com/lancair
Please send your photos and drawings to marvkaye@olsusa.com.
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