Slightly off topic, but I was talking yesterday to a man who knew the test 
pilot who flew the RAAF acceptance trials of the Gloster Meteor back in the 
late 1940s. The Meteor had a reputation for some awkward handling 
characteristics, and quite a number (over 100) of RAF pilots suffered fatal 
accidents flying them.

Said test pilot suffered an inadvertent spin off a steep turn with wheels down, 
and subsequently wrote to Glosters and RAF suggesting great care was required 
in this area - only to be told by return post that he was the only person to 
have survived this experience, and nobody else had recovered from such a spin.

Stability augmentation has come a long way in 60 years!

Wombat

Sent from Wombat's iPad

> On 10 Mar 2015, at 23:05, Noel Roediger <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
> There are several points to consider.
> 
> All of the large sailplanes will readily spin with the exception of the S10.
> 
> In general this will occur while thermalling with positive flap selected.
> 
> When entering a spin in this configuration the first action must be select
> full reflex flap.
> 
> Applying normal spin recovery technique while positive flap remains set will
> cause the sailplane to accelerate so rapidly that in all probability the
> torsional strength of the wing will be exceeded.
> 
> Poof: an outer wing panel separates and then there is no ability to recover,
> nor is there any way to bale out due rolling "G's".
> 
> With such rapid acceleration the aircraft will disintegrate.
> 
> NOW; You all know the purpose of the stabiliser - fixed with an elevator -
> or "all flying".
> 
> It is to provide a down-load to stop the aircraft pitching nose-down.
> 
> What will happen when the stabiliser is placed its full forward position -
> that is its maximum angle of attack.
> 
> The tailplane is no different to the wing.
> 
> It will stall for the same reasons its preceding wing does and if its stall
> occurs before the wing then a serious situation rapidly develops.
> 
> The stab is stalled.
> 
> The wing will pitch down.
> 
> What is the recovery procedure.
> 
> Un-stall the stab. using back stick to decrease its AoA.
> 
> Then - with gentle elevator input - try to regain control. 
> 
> Another issue.
> 
> Some years ago I flew many pilots in a two-seat sailplane and deliberately -
> on down-wind and about to enter base - slipped the positive flap into full
> reflex.
> 
> In all cases they immediately lowered the nose and an extremely high rate of
> descent occurred.
> 
> A bit lower and we'd have impacted the ground.
> 
> What should have occurred.
> 
> FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
> 
> Noel.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected]
> [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of
> [email protected]
> Sent: Monday, 9 March 2015 12:00 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: Aus-soaring Digest, Vol 138, Issue 7
> 
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> Today's Topics:
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>   1. Bill Walker and David Speight (Ron Sanders)
>   2. Re: Bill Walker and David Speight (Mike Borgelt)
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> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Sun, 8 Mar 2015 19:28:28 +0800
> From: Ron Sanders <[email protected]>
> Subject: [Aus-soaring] Bill Walker and David Speight
> To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia."
>    <[email protected]>
> Message-ID:
>    <caps+alxu2d0l6dfxhx0e9f2bc3xj69qvkuom4oadtur0ug3...@mail.gmail.com>
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> 
> Guys, it is probably too soon just now but i really would like to see or
> find an accident report wherein the reason for the demise of these two very
> very experienced pilots is stated. They were flying a modern glider. We
> never seem to hear what actually happened in a lot of accidents. I want to
> know so that i Can continue flying but be and OLD pilot , not BOLD. I want
> make sure I don't do what they did.
> 
> Ron
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> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 09 Mar 2015 08:30:36 +1000
> From: Mike Borgelt <[email protected]>
> Subject: Re: [Aus-soaring] Bill Walker and David Speight
> To: "Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia."
>    <[email protected]>
> Message-ID: <[email protected]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; Format="flowed"
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Not only that one but there have been a couple of other large high
> performance two seater accidents for what appeared to be no good reason. Is
> it something to do with the "two seat" bit?
> 
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> At 09:28 PM 8/03/2015, you wrote:
>> Guys, it is probably too soon just now but i really would like to see 
>> or find an accident report wherein the reason for the demise of these 
>> two very very experienced pilots is stated. They were flying a modern 
>> glider. We never seem to hear what actually happened in a lot of 
>> accidents. I want to know so that i Can continue flying but be and OLD 
>> pilot , not BOLD. I want make sure I don't do what they did.
>> 
>> Ron
>> _______________________________________________
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> 
> Borgelt Instruments - design & manufacture of quality soaring
> instrumentation since 1978 www.borgeltinstruments.com
> tel:   07 4635 5784     overseas: int+61-7-4635 5784
> mob: 042835 5784                :  int+61-42835 5784
> P O Box 4607, Toowoomba East, QLD 4350, Australia
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