Aero-Tips!
A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard
this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer
statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of
"there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation
so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it
all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.
Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner,
master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us
-- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as
representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have
heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we
might never have considered before, or something that didn't
"stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for
the practical test.
It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers
become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our
ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those
strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow
them to soar magnificently through it.
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always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips.
Remember... when it comes to being good pilots, we're all in this
together.
Aero-Tips 02.02.06
The pilot’s first warning came when the propeller began
slicing into the pavement, followed by a ridiculously short landing
slide. He’d forgotten to put the landing gear
down. Why didn’t he hear the horn?
Defeated Warnings
Most retractable-gear airplanes have a landing gear warning
horn. It’s designed to protect pilots from the sort of
scenario described above. But there are traps where the
warning horn will not sound even if the gear’s still
up. How can this happen?
Most gear warning horns are wired to the physical position of
the throttle control. If the throttle is returned toward idle
power and the gear is not down an intermittent horn sounds.
Some airplanes also have a panel-mounted annunciator light that
flashes at the same time. (NOTE: In the aircraft model involved in
the described mishap, the switch is supposed to engage when the
throttle is in a position that provides about 12 inches of manifold
pressure at sea level). The warning system only works if you
reduce throttle to idle long enough before landing to hear and
respond to the horn.
Beware, then, possible landing scenarios where you might not
bring the throttle fully to idle until just before touchdown,
including:
- Landing in strong or gusty winds.
- Using power to “cushion” touchdown (a common
“cheat” to get a squeaker landing).
- Landing “hot” for any reason.
- Landing “long” or aiming for a precise landing spot
(think about aiming for the ‘dot’ at Oshkosh).
- Level-off at Minimum Descent Altitude in a non-precision
approach.
- The circling portion of a circling approach.
The pilot in this instance was checking the operation of rebuilt
flaps newly installed on his airplane, and carried extra power with
full flaps extended before forgetting the landing gear. Some
newer airplanes also sound the horn if full flaps are selected and
the gear’s not down—sadly, this was not one of
them.
Aero-tip of the day: Plan your approach
to permit reducing throttle to idle before the flare. Be
especially careful to verify gear extension on final approach,
especially if you’re doing something out of the
ordinary. Here’s much more information and data
on Landing Gear-Related Mishaps.
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