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flynhigh

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    Buckle your seat belt

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by flynhigh

    Following an unexplained “malfunction” that caused a severe pitch-down,

    Ah yes, the unexplain "malfunction". I witnessed a guy take off in an R44 from a fairly remote Northern MN lake at 12:30 AM in low overcast and haze and watched him plow into the water no more than 200 yards off shore. He claimed an "unexplained" loss off power. Most of us call BS. His canopy was full of moisture and the horizon was barely distinguishable. He plain and simple flew into the lake. I suspect there is something more to this scenario than an "unexplained" pitch down. I find it hard to believe that the Zodiac 601 has a trim system, or autopilot for that matter, capable of generating enough of a nose down pitching moment to create enough force to punch a guy through the canopy. Not sure of any other malfunction that would result in a nose down pitching moment other than structural failure. I guess it wouldn't be the first time, http://www.eaa.org/n...2-25_zodiac.asp

    Edit: their vs there...

    RIP 1st Lt Anthony Riggan

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by flynhigh

    Coming up on 2 years this winter but I lost an old H.S. classmate with his 2 teenage daughters on an IFR approach under (at least apparently similar conditions). He was flying a Bonanza and he hit at steep angle. Based on where he was on the approach I would bet he was configuring the A/C for landing and I've wondered if he had iced up and the flaps coming down precipitated a loss of control. Anyone know if a (straight tail)Bonanza has the same issues as the Mooney?

    Can't say for sure, but in general, aircraft with conventional tails are most susceptible since the horizontal is in the wings wake. With increasing flap deployment the downwash on the stab is increased. With ice contamination, it is not uncommon for some level of ICTS to occur with full flaps (airflow separation due to the ice and increased AOA of the stab). A variety of FIKI aircraft have flap limitations after an icing encounter, including the SR22 for this very reason. If you can find a Bonanza POH look for a flap limitation after icing encounter.

    The Yeager Thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    That's interesting, because there are a lot of aviators who have no respect for a guy who is a self-important windbag who once accomplished some amazing acts of airmanship but unfortunately eclipsed all of that with his enormous ego.

    Ego yes. He was taking questions (moderated by his current wife) and a lady thanked them for being there and said her son would love to shake his hand. Neither he or his wife acknowledged the request, classy!

    The Yeager Thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted

    I wasn't there to hear what Yeager said but I do know the mishap pilot and I can assure you that he doesn't lack basic airmanship. He's been flying the Viper for a long time. He may have screwed up but he has been flying too long to not have basic airmanship.

    Not trying to speculate, just passing along what Yeager is spouting off. As others have pointed out, he's destroying his "legacy".

    The Yeager Thread

    in Squadron Bar

    Posted · Edited by Toro

    Split from the thread.

    Yeager spoke last night at the theater in the woods. Apparently he's not afraid to speak his mind in front of a crowd. Don't know if he's got the scoop on what happened, but he bashed the viper driver in front of the crowd. Basically said he has no respect for a Guy who lacks basic airmanship. I thought was pretty bold. But then again, I have no idea what happened.

    New Powered Flight Program Aircraft at USAFA

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by flynhigh

    Here's your AF answer

    Powered Flight:To screen for aptitude, attitude, and adaptability while developing pilot candidates towards a military flying career.

    Character development, screening, and intro to military flight programs; nothing too surprising.

    More from the acquisition solicitation;

    The principal mission of the aircraft is to provide the USAFA cadets with capstone airmanship experience to expose them to aviation principles. This document identifies that the aircraft is Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS), FAA Type Certified to fulfill the needs of the USAF.

    With regards to glass cockpit;

    Waste of money. Complete glass cockpit? Unless they are getting 10 VRF hours followed by a CAT II ILS certification...completely unnecessary.

    Most GA aircraft come standard with glass cockpits these days. As mentioned above, the request was for a Type Certified aircraft. Sure, an SR20 could be stripped down and certified with steam gauges, but the certification costs to do so would far outweigh the cost savings associated with removing the avionics (at least on the scale of 25 aircraft). Glass panels may be unnecessary for the current PFP mission at USAFA, but the economics don't make sense.

    Regarding;

    The glass cockpit probably isn't necessary, but can you buy a Cirrus without one?

    See above. Not an option. Fairly certain you can't buy a Cessna or Diamond without a glass panel either (I could easily be wrong).

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