One could make the same argument regarding aircraft with doors (e.g., C-172).
Would you not open the door prior to an emergency landing? Remember, this is last thing you do prior to touchdown. You are increasing drag during the entire process. Roy ________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Richard Wilkens Sent: Monday, May 11, 2009 2:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ercoupe-tech] Re; Window Kicking ? Importance: Low I would disagree on opening windows in emergency landings. Open windows mean more drag. More drag means higher airspeed and a faster rate of decent. Faster rate of decent means less distance and more airspeed means more energy on touch down. You may undershot your touch down point or over run your field. If a coupe flips over on landing, the tail is the only thing to keep everything above the panel from collapsing. You are more apt to need a shovel to dig out than worry about getting pass the windows. I was watching a thing a few years ago and an old Navy pilot's first thing on a prop aircraft when he was sure it wasn't going to restart was to bring the nose up to almost a stall to stop the prop from spinning. He said something like "Why increase the drag by spinning a compressor that wasn't doing you any good." (He was on an FAA flying seamier which was on one of the high numbered satellite channels two or three times a week. I don't know if it is still on.) I don't think it would work on our C-85's. Richard NC99904
