Derrick
Can't say I am an highly experienced coupe driver- bought mine last
spring- but been boring holes in the sky for about 40 years. Yes the
coupe is a bit differnt but the laws of physics are the same
irrespective of the airplane. First I usually fly my bird close to
gross weight so tend to carry a bit of extra speed. First set the
airplane up at pattern altitude about 800 foot above field elev. Pull
power back to about 1800 rpm a little past the approach end of the
landing runway and let the speed drop to about 90 indicated make the
cross wind turn holding this speed into the turn to final on final
pull the power back a bit using power to control altitude and pitch
to control airspeed or whatever combination as needed. I tend to play
a bit with the trim as I change power settings. The airplane has a
very high sink rate. At the turn into final am turning about 1500 rpm
I never fly any airplane below 1.4 stall speed in the pattern.
Depending where the airplane is at I add or pull power to control
altitude. Down final I never fly less than 80 indicated. In the past
there were a rash of coupe loss of control accidents -hard and short
landings- because there was a belief that the airplane would not
stall but they do sink and can get behind the power curve like any
other aircraft. I am not an advocate of doing power off landings.
Keep a bit of fire in the furnace( not much) till the threshold.
Thermal shock is tough on engines and willing to gamble engine will
not quit. Carry a bit of power all the way to the threshold chop the
power and flair. If windy -I am not one of those who will fly a coupe
in 25 kt winds- carry a tad of power into touchdown chop the power
brake and get the nosewheel on. I just drive it on the nosewheel is
the only means of directional control on the ground. The other guys
are correct unless the aircraft is rotated it will not fly but have
had a few moments of excitment relative to directional control. X
winds are an act of faith in the design. Can't say I am a pro at
coupe landing but except for the faith in design for X winds its a
real easy airplane to fly. If you learned in a champ you will have no
problems just watch your airspeed and don't get lulled into the
concept that its an idiot proof airplane its an airplane and it can
bite.
