mid - May 2020

READY-SET-STOP !

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NOTE: I’m firstly a Recreational Pilot. I have had some wonderful experiences as a pilot and in recent years as an RAAus Senior Flying Instructor. I’m sharing my experiences. Content can be of my own or in part may be from other sources. Do not use my content for flight instruction. Please consult a qualified flight instructor in your area.
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I have decided to keep my large number of newsletter subscribers updated on things aviation on a twice monthly schedule throughout the Ciovid-19 pandemic rather than monthly for the time being...just to keep us all focused.

LISTEN UP !

Following on from recent GA experience in the US where far too many aircraft accidents are happening ...accidents that could have easily been avoided I recently reflected upon two accidents from my past wanderings through the wonderful world of YouTube. Who hasn't. These two accidents are listed below. Those who know my teaching style will understand that I teach from the worse case scenario. Flight is inherently a safe pursuit so long as you obey the teaching. Take chances and ...well you know the answer.

Two accidents that I want you to watch. And tell me what went wrong. What would you have done in either of these examples. My take. Neither pilot had pre-established an ABORT point and blindly keep rolling into never never land. If the aircraft isn't getting airborne by a pre-detirmined point on the runway (you must identify that BEFORE you take off) and you have to coax it to the air.... DON'T. Reject the takeoff and stop.

NO1.

This runway in a field was, I'm told, uphill. It was in a low crop, soft soil and the pilot had loaded fuel....ringing any bells yet? And at the end of the runway ...a stand of tall trees. A recipe for disaster. This takeoff should have been aborted.

N02.

This story I'm advised was on a hot day, a fully loaded aircraft, and a high density altitude. Density.... the location was well above sea level. In high country on a hot day. Low air density reduces lift significantly and decreases aircraft engine performance. A fatal combination for the pilot and his poor passengers, one who blindly recorded the footage right till the accident.

A BRIEF SIMPLIFIED LESSON ON PERFORMANCE
What are the main ingredients involved in getting us airborne? Angle of Attack, airspeed and air density. You may know for example the Max ambient operating temperature for my Jabiru J230 is 38C direct from the POH (Pilot Operating handbook) - every aircraft has one has these limitations for good reason. Aircraft performance will degrade with ambient temperature. The air is too thin to create sufficient lift and/or engine performance power. Now we also should know that the higher the elevation of an airfield again the air is usually less dense (thinner) than at standard sea level. A DETAILED EXPLANATION IS NOTED BELOW IF INTERESTED:

So imagine the scenario where you have a hot ambient outside temperature and an added high airfield elevation .... what do you think happens to lift and engine performance? Then add in say a nil takeoff headwind (calm day) or even a small tailwind or maybe a slight uphill slope or add a damp runway/strip. A fully laden aircraft and so on. Performance degradation ... big time. Added together and your take-off/climb-out will be a disaster.

I don't think I need to comment more. BUT will you please start noting... out loud ...a pre-planned abort point every time you take-off. If you reach it and the aircraft isn't flying like normal...ABORT. And live to tell the rest of us a happy tale. Accidents do not need to happen. They are caused by pilots who break the long established and well documented rules. Stay in the middle of the air...the edges are dangerous.

Explanation:

As air temperature increases the air molecules move further apart and so air density decreases. Since air density also decreases with increased height, increases in air temperature have the same effect on density as an increase in height..ie an aircraft will perform on a hot day as though it was operated at a higher level in a standard atmosphere. Also on a colder day it will perform as though at a lower level. Measurements of these changes in density produced by temperature changes have shown that each increase of 1C produces a density equivalent to a height increase of 120ft. So when the temperature is 10C hotter than standard temperature of 15C at sea level, the aircraft will perform as though its 1200ft higher than the standard atmosphere.

Till next time...fly safe and ....

This months thought: "When in trouble, when in doubt, Fly in circles, scream and shout"

Cheers

Ian McDonald
PS - do you have any questions or points of interest you'd like me to discuss or investigate. Drop me a note.
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Vision10conversions · Rostrevor · Rostrevor, SA 5073 · Australia