Tex

" The normally quoted "best" glide is for distance, not for min descent rate. If distance is not an issue and you want minimum descent, a slower speed than best glide will provide this."........????what is this ..."if distance is not the issue"...stuff about??????....whats this "minimum descent"...stuff about?????

 

surely 'minimum' descent..(what ever that is)...is the warm and fuzzy feeling u have immediately before the a/c stalls and enters a spin......

Simple scenario as example... engine failure at height of say 3000', set best glide speed, just for arguments sake lets say sink rate is 500fpm (nice!) you have 6 Min till touch down, if perchance you hit an energy line or thermal etc on that glide and your sink rate goes to 400fpm (net 100fpm lifting airmass at that airspeed), then select min sink speed you might get 300fpm or BETTER depending on the normal parameters between best L/D and Min sink speeds. That would give you and extra 4min of airtime - 66% more (if you hit it straight away and had good air the whole descent - unlikely). If you just maintain that for 1 minute you have nominally gained 200ft over the same time cf best L/D. Return to best L/D if required. Below say 500' you should most certainly be in 'circuit' mode. Of course it still all relates to what you are trying to achieve; make it too a spot to land; get more time to think about it etc. Then there is wind to think about as well.

Another simple scenario... you have an engine failure, select best glide as you need to MAKE that one and only spot, but you might not get there... then a little better sink rate appears on the vario, select best sink, two fold result you are in the 'better' air longer (as you are slower) and have a better sink rate for a time giving you a greater chance of making it than you had than just sticking with best L/D. Tough return to best L/D when the sink rate gets worse again.

In any case, this knowledge of speeds to fly could gain you just enough to make a real difference in an emergency. Really only applies with some altitude though... then again maybe good for use at any stage.

Talking to a guy from the ATSB the other day and he said they're getting very concerned about the RA-Aus accidents as they're getting at least one request a week over the past 12 months to assist police with an investigation.

And that`s smart??????????............In an RAA ,single engine aircraft!!!!!!Frank.

I was pointing out it is not illegal under certain circumstances when someone inferred it was, always. The intelligence (or choice) of doing it I will leave up to the opinion of the individual.

Yes, well best glide ratio (L/D) is about covering the most ground, but descent rate is important to be aware of, because with a higher wing loading, you will have higher airspeed and RoD for your best L/D... ergo less time. Min sink speed = more time to contemplate your predicament

Yep sure is Don, and about 86nm south of Longreach.

He certainly has credibility!

You can fly over water with out glide to land if wearing a life jacket.

Gliding is the ordinary and natural state of flight. Adding propulsion is extraordinary. Soaring breeds a different mindset. Gliding experience is priceless no matter what aircraft you fly.

Most important thing to remember when gliding (which includes engine failure), as in any approach: if it moves down in your field of view, head for it, if it moves up, forget it. If it stays in the same spot best glide is preferred, until you are sure.

If every suitable landing is moving up, pick the best staying still or going down and COMMIT to it, you can't change the inevitable. Airspeed! FWIW.

You must of had the same instructor as me! :thumb_up:

I can highly recommend Yaraka (ALA) approx 600'ASL S24 53'32 E144 3'46 1000m Bitumen (red) strip approx 06/24 Lovely little pub, accommodation is more than sufficient, 8 beds in four rooms. B&B cost us $50 and dinner was a huge BBQ for a donation to the RFDS. Call 'Thomo' at the pub before arrival 46575526 so he can get the beer cold then hit the local plod up for a ride into town (change to 25 at end of same phone number), though it is easily walkable. Fuel in town, no Avgas but could be arranged.

Only complaint is they don't have beer on tap CANS!

The end of the line (Rail and power).

Imagine cutting a road with this.

Used to be sheep country...

The very end of the strip (and small shed) next to road in, on the far left, one third up between tree lines.

There are two conflicting stories; one a turnback and spiral, the other a turn to the left perhaps because he wasn't going to make it over the point to the beach, then a 45 deg dive.Both reports involve turning with no power, which almost none of us have experienced - we always get a little shove from the idling prop.

'Fly the aircraft as far into the crash as you can'.

From 1000' I thought he did very well to make the calls he did with more important things to think about ...

I flew the Air Ambulance (RFDS) around Oz, we operate in & out of strips day & night in all sorts of weather right down to the minim cloud base - we fly into the same airstrips " you do" you were putting "others in serious danger"

FP

I'll give you an 8/9, the breakdown one only managed a groan.

Hi Jeff.

Howdy Tex, probably seen you and even shaken your hand before... you never know! I'm the tall skinny young fella that hangs around there at times, flying Smokey's or Barney's toys I Fly the Drifters and whatever else in Dalby also, have been around for a few of the glider comps, and gotta love the Dragonflies :thumb_up:

 

Glad to hear you've got your paperwork all sorted, can't beat 208 for a nice little Drifter, Hey!

 

Have you seen Yoda's new toy lately?

The Rans S7... LUVLY :spot on:spent 10 hours in it Sunday, Monday... will post a some pic and video once I can find some time to edit. Went out to pick up a Drifter with The S7 and Cub... Great little XC adventure.

Hi again cficare :wave:OK skeptic36 and cficare... someone is in breach of signature copyright here, though I guess you will need to take it up with Don:poking:

Bad news that Alan I am heading out on an adventure tomorrow to pick one up... not for me unfortunately. Pics to follow later in the week...

Used to fly Drifters? Do you ever really give them up?

:black_eye:

Hey that message is still there, what a con

Thanks all,

David, do most of my flying in Hang Gliders out at Dalby, and now Drifters, but live in Brisbane, so throw myself of the hills down around Canungra from time to time, and have been known to do the odd competition around the country for the 'social activities' .

Yes indeed 80knts, lurking in the shadows for quite a while, first signed up some years ago So, as far as RAA goes... I did a few hours over the years in Drifters, and a little in Dragonflies and trikes but never got the paperwork sorted for one reason or another. Changed that all last week and finalised my licence.

So where is the best place to get a seat in a Drifter around Brisbane... Boonah? (I love these little avatar dudes :robot: )

Hi All,

LONG time lurker first time poster. Really just want to get rid of THAT message that keeps telling me to post in here. I have met a couple of you in the chat area so G'Day to the rest of you.

I tend to be pretty unreliable with forums popping in and out randomly and indiscriminately but I hope to be more active around the place henceforth... like many, very time poor... so could be a hollow promise