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At 06:41 AM 11/28/00 -0800, you wrote: >----[Please read http://ercoupers.com/disclaimer.htm before following any >advice in this forum.]---- > >Craig, It doesn't sound as though you have a problem with your >speeds. More likely, you have a problem with pattern uniformity. One of the nicest things about airplane ownership is having an airplane where I know what it's going to do. My first hundred hours as a pilot were spent struggling to always do it the same way. When I did, it worked out. However when something occurred to disrupt the pattern, such as other traffic or oddball mountain airports, I never knew the outcome for sure and ended up resorting to adding more power or drag than I liked. Now, after 100 hours of Ercoupe time, it isn't nearly as much work to arrive over the numbers at some acceptable altitude and airspeed, regardless of what took place on downwind and base. That Holy Grail, the 'stabilized approach' has become a lot less important to me. Oh, I can still establish it, but so long as things are pretty much okay a couple of hundred yards from the threshold, it seems like I can get her down with reasonable grace. I've noticed the same thing with other people who are very used to their planes. They are just more able to make it work out with less work. Chop it abeam the numbers for a dead-stick, or extend way out for some student flying a huge pattern, it doesn't really matter. It all works out fine with no sweating or cussing or struggling. On the other hand, when I get back into a C172, I have one heck of a time re-establishing a routine that suits that kite again. So take heart, Craig, it won't be too many hours before you wonder what all the struggling was for. Greg __________________________________________________ To unsubscribe from this list please send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A http://www.topica.com/t/17 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
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