----- Original Message -----
From: "Graham Singleton" <graham@gflight.f9.co.uk>
Subject: Europa-List: Angle of Attack
<graham@gflight.f9.co.uk>
|
| From: "josok" <josok-e@ukolo.fi>
|
|
| Since i am a very green pilot, and do only dream about flying my Europa,
please
| do not take this attempt too serious. I am flying the club's Supercub, and
especially
| on skies it asks for a fixed, 60 miles final, and because of the
white-out,
| you only set the descent rate at about 100 ft/min. The variable in this
| quotation is the settle down point of course. But since there are no
numbers
| on these very long and very white runways, it does not matter. In my
dreams i
| land the Europa the same way. Nail the speed on final, and set the descent
rate
| at an agreeable speed. Why would this work or not work?
|
| Jos
| In the flare, or rather when very close to the ground,last foot, the
tailplane loses the effect of the downwash from the wing. This is ground
effect of course. The result is that unless you do something about it, the
nose will drop and you will bounce. As soon as you feel this nose drop pull
the stick back quickly to prevent it.
| Simplest way is to feel for the ground with the tailwheel and as soon as
it touches stick hard back. The plane can't pitch up so it just quits
flying.
| Graham
Jos,
Graham has it! Another aspect is that you may have different
weights on approach - passenger, luggage, full tank - and the difference
between that and solo, no baggage and tanks toward empty - can be a
significant percentage of the total weight. Like most aircraft the Europa
exhibits very different drag characterisitics at extreme weights. You want
to know what approach speed will give you Graham's 'feel-for-the-ground'
values at round-out. That comes with care and research. But the approach
speed does not stay fixed as with a Supercub on skis. Because the Europa is
slick and smooth it floats when too fast. The reverse is even
worse..........
Good luck, and use a long runway to practice.
Ferg
|