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Re: Europa-List: 180 turns

Subject: Re: Europa-List: 180 turns
From: Carl Pattinson <carl@flyers.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 14:41:36

To a degree it depends on the direction of the turn and whether flaps up or 
down.

Most Europas tend to stall one wing down (ours is to the left). This can be 
minimised by using stall strips but they cause other problems.

Most likely outcome is a spin or incipient. This will by accompanied by a 
considerable loss in height.

It is also dependent on the method of recovery used. Inexperienced pilots 
try and recover an incipient spin with ailerons - its an instinctive 
reaction. This will make the situation worse and may cause a spiral dive.

But then everyone knows you should use rudder to correct a spin - dont they?

I have deliberately stalled a Europa in a turn and it is interesting (at 
4,000ft !!!) - you definitely lose a lot of height.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "William Daniell" <wdaniell@etb.net.co>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 2:16 PM
Subject: RE: Europa-List: 180 turns


>
> What happens when you stall a Europa in a turn?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com
> [mailto:owner-europa-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Gilles Thesee
> Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 06:27
> To: europa-list@matronics.com
> Subject: Re: Europa-List: 180 turns
>
> <Gilles.Thesee@ac-grenoble.fr>
>
> William Harrison a crit :
>>  John Brownlow, who did my conversion training for the Europa,
>> told/showed me that you can do a safe 180 turn back from 300 feet
>> (much lower than for many types). I practised a few times. I think
>> I'll practise a few more times.
> William and all,
>
> Sorry to hear about this sad loss.
>
> The first thing an instructor shows, is that it takes more than a 180 to
> turn back to the runway : it is safe to assume it takes one 270 degree
> turn in one direction, and 90 degrees in the other direction to land
> back on the same runway. 360 degrees total. You also need some height to
> straighten the wings and flare.
>
> 360 degrees is twice what many pilots feel is necessary, hence the
> dramatic turn of events when they realize they still have lots of
> distance to travel to make the intended threshold. Most "turn back"
> crashes occur AT THE END of the maneuver, when the ground is rushing
> toward you at 1000 ft/min, and you are below tree tops, and still trying
> to make that out-of-reach runway.
>
> Of course, if you are far enough, you can replace this 270+90 by
> something somewhat resembling a tear drop. But if you are far enough
> from the runway, you also have height and time to make sound decisions.
>
> The second thing we show our students, is how much height it takes to
> perform a power-off full 360 from a climb attitude at slow speed, with
> flaps down and prop in fine pitch. 300 feet seems very low, especially
> considering some Europas have less than gentle stall characteristics in
> a turn, as evoked in last year postings.
>
> I suggest Europa pilots do the maneuver (at a safe altitude) and report
> the recorded loss of height for the education of us all.
>
> My sympathy and thoughts go out to the families and friends.
> Regards,
> -- 
> Gilles Thesee
> http://contrails.free.fr
>
>
> 



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