"Wobbly Prop"

[TorqueVR]

I've heard the expression often to describe variable pitch propellers, but not this:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1361755/Pi...

[Simpo Two]

'Cheating death' is a bit strong. I thought deadstick landings were part of training?

[mattdaniels]

Blimey - a DM report about an aircraft accident and no mention of schools or plummeting. Are their standards slipping?

[FraserLFA]

I've never flown without a propeller, but just assumed it would be like landing with no power.

not easy, but practiced.

I could be wrong though.

[Simpo Two]

FraserLFA said:

I've never flown without a propeller, but just assumed it would be like landing with no power.

Gliders have a shallower glide (by design!). I always thought that being able to put the power on and go up again was cheating somehow!

[FraserLFA]

Simpo Two said:

FraserLFA said:

I've never flown without a propeller, but just assumed it would be like landing with no power.

Gliders have a shallower glide (by design!). I always thought that being able to put the power on and go up again was cheating somehow!

Haha I love the essence of gliding. Finding thermals and staying up as long as possible. Powered gliders are obviously similar to planes, but with longer wings and a propeller than rotates to decrease air resistance, to make them more like gliders when the engine isn't in use.

It's this that makes me think that landing a plane without power (Like i said, i've never tried) should be an achievable goal.

However, losing a propeller completely is probably st scary!

[Simpo Two]

FraserLFA said:

It's this that makes me think that landing a plane without power (Like i said, i've never tried) should be an achievable goal.

Oh, it will land alright, somehow, Newton will see to that

FraserLFA said:

However, losing a propeller completely is probably st scary!

Nose down to keep airspeed and start looking round for somewhere flat. SOP for gliders

[FraserLFA]

Simpo Two said:

FraserLFA said:

However, losing a propeller completely is probably st scary!

Nose down to keep airspeed and start looking round for somewhere flat. SOP for gliders

I assumed that would be the case. I can't really see much difference between this and a power failure. The "News" article just seems pointless.

[mattdaniels]

Simpo Two said:

Nose down to keep airspeed and start looking round for somewhere flat. SOP for gliders

Close enough for Engine Failure in a powered aircraft too. Nose down, trim for best glide speed. Restart checks and try and restart engine. If that fails - select a field. Ideally 30 degrees either side of the nose, considering the five S's - Size, Shape, Slope, Surface, Surroundings. Once committed (either using constant aspect approach or high key / low key technique), if there is time, attempt restart again. If this fails and there is time, issue one mayday call. Then land the aircraft. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.

That's what's taught on the PPL syllabus when I did it.

Edited by mattdaniels on Tuesday 1st March 17:53

[mrloudly]

The glide sink rate is supposed to be significantly less without a prop.

Even so, I suppose no prop is better than half a prop

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0txEC0Rhdg

Made a lot easier with several 10,000' strips to choose from, still an adrenalin is brown moment though!

[mrloudly]

mattdaniels said:

Close enough for Engine Failure in an aircraft. Nose down, trim for best glide speed. Restart checks and try and restart engine. If that fails - select a field. Ideally 30 degrees either side of the nose, considering the five S's - Size, Shape, Slope, Surface, Surroundings. Once committed (either using constant aspect approach or high key / low key technique), if there is time, attempt restart again. If this fails and there is time, issue one mayday call. Then land the aircraft. Aviate. Navigate. Communicate.

That's what's taught on the PPL syllabus when I did it.

Not always nose down, you maybe able to sacrifice speed for height in achieving best glide speed. Height is your friend ;-)

[mattdaniels]

I was always taught nose down trim for best glide. To the point that it must be an automatic reaction. Instructor would shoot me if I pulled back on the yoke or did anything else.

[mrloudly]

If you're cruising at 140 knots and best glide is 70 why would you push forwards? The only time to push without question is EFATO

[davepoth]

One would hope, since he's been flying gliders since he was 16 and is 51, he was quite used to it. Still quite scary, I guess somewhat akin to seeing a wheel fall off your car.

[mrloudly]

Interestingly watch the Lancair video, the first thing he does is pull up.

[davepoth]

mrloudly said:

Interestingly watch the Lancair video, the first thing he does is pull up.

I remember watching it I think. Isn't the rule that you should quickly trade all of the speed in excess of the optimum glide speed for altitude?

[mrloudly]

davepoth said:

I remember watching it I think. Isn't the rule that you should quickly trade all of the speed in excess of the optimum glide speed for altitude?

Yup. Thing is most training aircraft don't hold a lot of energy at cruise speeds to do this. Higher performance ships can sometimes gain 500' + in slowing to best glide speed.

[mattdaniels]

mrloudly said:

If you're cruising at 140 knots

...then my C152 has been seriously upgraded!

[lost in espace]

Daily Fail says "He landed the single-engine plane on green grass".

What other colours are there?

[Simpo Two]

It does go a sort of straw colour if we have more than two days of sun (ha)