How Not to do a touch and go

[facthunter]

flap consequences.

 

This is the aspect that I thought worth emphasising. How eveything goes rapidly bad as a result of one action..ie the flap retraction.. Until quite recently we didn't have many aircraft that had these problems, because they didn't have flaps. The difficulties are trim change and lift change. Ie the lift coefficient changes. so what is the only way to correct this where you have lost lift?. Pull the stick back, if you need more lift, but IF the student has the idea that elevator controls airspeed alone, he will push the stick forward, because he knows he is low on airspeed with the flaps up. Electric flaps introduce another hazard. With the lever, you can feel where they are and keep your attention on adjusting pitch attitude and flying the aircraft. You can't look about the cockpit for a flap indicator gauge when you are that busy.

 

I initially missed the severity of the situation to some extent, and It did became quite serious. I am not making a judgement at all here, please accept that. My feelings toward you were more along the lines of sharing your "moment" and stating that there will be more of these and they are part of the scene. They are part of any training environment. Your skill got you and your student through that. Anyone contemplating instructing should be aware that it is an extremely demanding job and shouldn't be underestimated. When I started instructing , (in the 60's) I was taken by surprise many times and it still continues to happen, but much less frequently because you become more "street wise". and less trusting. You have to. Regards, Nev

 

 

[poteroo]

Well done Merv - we all learn from our students efforts.

 

Just re-inforces my contention that touch & go's are risky on anything short or narrow or busy or all 3. I like to do 'stop & go' circuits if at all possible so the student manages the aircraft under braking, and has to manage the take-off directional control right from stationary.

 

As for Mum - well, we all have 'em, but probably best to keep them away from airports until you have your ticket.

 

happy days,

 

 

[Tomo]

As for Mum - well, we all have 'em, but probably best to keep them away from airports until you have your ticket.

Or better still, get her learning it as well!!:thumb_up:

 

I had my first encounter with flaps the other day, when doing my first circuit in the Jab, it was, well... to say the least, a Drifter circuit! so we over flew the piano keys at about 500ft!! not going to make the ground anywhere near the start of the runway, I decided to do a go around and try again... but not thinking real straight for some reason, I put full power on and took off both stages of flaps!!!

 

Now I was in no real danger from hitting the ground, but It was a great learning experience, and was probably a good thing it happened then, and not having to learn the hard way near the ground... because we did descend a reasonable amount...

 

I knew all the why's and how's of how it all worked and the do's and don'ts etc... but it obviously never sinks in until something like this happens and makes it sink (hehe!) in. Also the instructor didn't need to say much, because as soon as I did it, I knew what I did, and won't do it again, hopefully!

 

 

[Guest Brett Campany]

Good recovery Merv, did a good job!

 

 

[shags_j]

Glad my mother hasn't seen me do anything like that. She would never talk to me again...

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Good job Merv, you didn't bend anything, and you both probabily learnt something that will serve both of you well into the future. That's training !!. Reminds me of the day at Warnavale in the 70's when my best mates' folks drove all the way up from Sydney to see him skydive for the first time. I had to spoil it all on the last jump of the day, by having my first malfunction, cutaway, and unintended reserve ride right in front of them. He never forgave me.........

 

...............................................................:rilla:

 

 

[Paul Turner]

Gees... it used to be that if you stuffed up with an Instructor on board you had to run a lap of the airfield... now you get your mistakes (and your Mum's commentary) posted on the Internet... THAT'S motivation to get t right!

 

 

[Guest blakey36]

Hi Merv...What did my old CFI down there Nev Sinnott have to say about that...Had some good days flying at Jasper's.

 

Bryan

 

 

[motzartmerv]

Good to hear.. Nev's been retired for a while now...spends most of his time flyin (repairing) his europa...

 

cheers

 

 

[Guest blakey36]

Morning Merv, Thanks for the quick reply...Please give old Nev my regards next time you see him and of course any of the old crowd that are still there...I see Jill Bailey is instructing down at Temora now...Is she and Norm divorced now or what?...By the way just as a matter of interest 31 is where I did all my ground runs for my Tailwheel endorsment...Keep in touch mate I miss the old place have very fond memories and if you ever up this way...Purga [Amberly] or Boonah get in touch. Bryan