At 07:49 AM 7/11/00 -0700, Larry wrote: > I can see only one possible reason for keeping the >pedals, and that's for cross control on landings.
One supposes that in a flap-less airplane the ability to slip is an advantage (and my friends Pete and Leslie claim that this is so in their Alons). On the other hand, I find 'Ercoupe flaps' (i.e., the extended arm) to be effective, as well as the 'slow her down and sink to the glide slope' trick. For myself, I'd enjoy losing the 'upwind wing lift' stunt in wherin one wonders whether to lower the wing or stay on the runway. This, of course, is only achieveable if the nosewheel is connected to the pedals rather than the yoke. I figure I'll eventually learn to keep my heart out of my throat while that little tendency plays out, and learn to ignore it and keep the bird on centerline while putting the nose DOWN (against the old 'bury the stick in your crotch' that is so ingrained). I did an X-wind landing earlier today, in a quite variable X-wind. The interesting thing about the pedal-less Coupe is that you REALLY keep flying and correcting right down to the ground. Today, in the variable stuff, I executed a really beautiful touchdown where I heard two very distinct 'chirps' from the wheels, as I actually touched in the middle of a little corrective turn to stay on centerline. But it was the nicest, gentlest, arrival ever. So I was reminded that you just keep flying until you're down in a 'Coupe. Actually, in the 'Coupe, I find that I'm a lot more active on landing and roll-out than I am in other tricycle gear airplanes. Almost like I am in a taildragger. Not like a 172, where I seem to flare and wait for things to play out. I still chuckle when I get crap from the rudder-pedal addicts who inform me about how the 'Coupe isn't a 'proper airplane.' On close inquiry, I usually find out that they, unlike yours truly, lack not only a tailwheel endorsement but any tailwheel time whatsoever. One suspects that they are really lamenting the lack of the footrests found in their Cherokees and Skyhawks. And it seems especially true when you watch them deviate yards and yards from the centerline on every landing. Greg __________________________________________________________________________ ______ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
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