After such a dire event it is natural to read many shots of
well-meaning advice. Some of it (accompanied by 300 lines of former text) is
good advice, some pure drivel. That story about a windmilling propeller MUST
mean the engine is turning it because the energy to windmill otherwise is a
terrible loss over a standing prop.
I disagree with NEVER TURN BACK, having lost some good friends to a
panic in a perfectly recoverable engine failure. Wait for it......
Someone mentioned checking the overrun area. Bang on.
Only one wise writer seemed to mention the fifth thing is DROP THE
NOSE.
The first thing is finding out what's off the end of the runway.
Nowadays Google is a perfect tool if personal sight won't do it. So ALWAYS
KNOW WHAT'S OFF THE END.
The second thing is EXPECT ENGINE FAILURE ON EVERY TAKE-OFF and know
what you are going to do every tiny second of it. When it doesn't happen,
relax slightly - you did the right thing.
The third thing is - DON'T CLIMB AWAY TOO EARLY. Why did early jet
drivers clean up and hold low all the way down the runway? Yup. You can
easily zoom up and do what you have to, to get her back on terra firma with
220 knots clean. That was before ejection seats and hardhats.
The fourth thing is MANOEUVRE TO ADVANTAGE OF CROSSWIND. Why insist
on early climb-out right down the centreline if you don't have to? Why not
climb slightly down wind so a turn into wind gives you lift advantage
(admittedly not a great thing in a EUPA - but SOME advantage) - if it fits.
That's why the fifth thing is drop the nose.
The engine quits. Hey!
Good thing I was ready.
Fortunately I used all the runway I needed to get this 80 knots.
The nose is already down - maybe 30 degrees down -that's a 45degree
pitchover..
Good thing the field of wheat is slightly right.
Lucky thing I chose to go slightly left when I got some height.
Now I'm in the very best position to choose my fate, and might even save the
aircraft.
The NOSE DOWN move is the fifth thing because one should done the other four
first.................
And the 180 is the sixth thing.
Happy motoring.
Ferg
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