Mathew Gage wrote: > > The Puchaz is a very predictable aircraft, more so that any other 2 seater I > have flown. This does not mean it is benign or docile, but it doesn't mean > that it is inherently unsafe as some are suggesting. If you don't ant to > spin one, then I suggest not flying it and certainly not instructing in it - > if you are frightened of it, it may well bite ! If you respect and > understand it, it is a great aircraft for training in. >
This made me check back through my logbook to a series of flights I flew in December '94 in Puchaz XQD when visiting Beverley. I still have strong memories of the day - brilliantly clear atmosphere with strong thermals to the 6'000' airspace limit. I had gone to Beverley with the deliberate intent to fly both the Puchaz and the L23 Superblanik to get a feal for how they would be as training aircraft. My logbook notes on the Puchaz describe "Little stall warning in any situation / Spins and recovers easily". I had come from a background of regularly spinning a Bocian. Those who have flown the Bocian will know of its very reliable spin entry if the stick is brought right back, its very steady, nose down, rapid rate of rotation and its very reliable easy recovery when the stick is brought forward. At the time I considered the Puchaz wasn't much different, except for the lack of pre stall buffet and a greater loss of height which I put down to the aircraft being heavier. When spins were provoked from a skidding turn the lateral damping was lost and the aircraft rolled gracefully into a full blooded, nose down spin. I can well imagine a poorly trained pilot not recognising the incipient stage and suddenly being confronted with the ground rushing up! Matthew's comment above is well founded. I also flew L23 Superblanik ZBZ the same day. My logbook notes are "Flies like L13 / Reasonable prestall buffet". Obviously I noticed the difference in stall warning. I've had a more recent experience of deliberately spinning a Ventus in full negative flap. This exercise was brought about by the thought "what if I'm steaming along in negative flap and slow down as I pass through a patch of rising air and forget to dangle the flap". This spin entry made the entry of the Puchaz look like kids stuff. A touch on the rudder caused the aircraft to abruptly roll inverted and depart as a full blown spin. Any aircraft or ground below would spoil your day. It wound up to a bit over 90 knots on spin recovery. After this experience I went and tried the same trick in the club's PIK 20D. Results were similar, except it took a bit more rudder abuse and the roll in wasn't so abrupt. While we have single seat aircraft able to be readily spun I believe we have an obligation to provide training for our pilots to firstly recognise and solve incipient spins and secondly to be able to resolve fully developed spins if they make a mistake and achieve one. Redmond Quinn _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
