Thank you, Ed & Bill. Ed, what you did instinctively, I am going to
add to my emergency procedures list, and practice to condition the
correct response in myself.
Linda
N3437H (Sky Sprite)
L.A.
4f. Re: control system flutter
Posted by: "William R. Bayne" [email protected] uurg62m
Date: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:12 pm ((PDT))
Hi Ron,
I wouldn't.
As a practical matter, the question is not unlike discussing the
difference between poisons. One must survive
before further discussion is possible or of use.
Flutter in the Ercoupe is almost always the result of improper
maintenance or a severe lack of maintenance. It
happens "at speed". If it is understood that the situation can very
rapidly progress (mentally) from a pilot's trying
to identify the cause of a new sound or sensation to disintegration, it
is obvious that one needs a conditioned
response that is rapid and effective.
You need to (1) load the surface and (2) slow down. These steps should
(1) stop the flutter and (2) prevent it
from recurring immediately so as to (a) save your butt and (b) save the
plane so you can (c) locate and correct
all tensions or excessive "slop" in controls that make flutter possible.
If it is the elevator, there are two choices...go up or go down. Going
down increases speed (and flutter severity,
so immediately rotate the bird into an aggressive climb and reduce
power. These acts should be brief such
that the nose can be lowered without buildup of speed or a whip-stall.
The emergency part of the flight should be
over, and it should be possible to reach a nearby airport at 60-65MPH
TAS without flutter.
Regards,
WRB
