Bill Bayne wrote:
> Let's assume, however, you just bought a coupe and need to
> fly it home. With absolutely no experience in that bird you
> need a number to have in mind before takeoff.
>
> Bart said "70 [mph] is close. I think." I agree with him.
OK, I'll sort of agree but I think the number to have in mind before the
first takeoff in a newly purchased Coupe is 75, not 70 and I've got personal
experience with that scenario as a reason.
When I bought my Coupe, on the first day, I did the basic three takeoffs and
landings to a full stop and all was well. The next day, I did a two hour or
so cross country, the ice in the bottom of the tanks melted and refroze in
the fuel line blocking fuel flow.
Gliding down, I USED the number of 70 mph as that was my best gleaning from
the mass of printed material in magazines and such - my only Ercoupe
transition training.
When it came time to flare for touchdown I found there WAS NO FLARE AT ALL -
I had already been within a fraction of an inch from full aft yoke. The
plane just leaned back a bit and WHUMP, WE HIT HARD. Fortunately, the
plowed field covered with packed snow gave just enough but was firm enough
that no damage resulted at all. That was pure blind luck. Had the surface
been any harder or softer, major damage probably would have resulted.
I needed that extra bit of airspeed for a flare and didn't have it. The
airspeed indicator was about 15 mph off in that low airspeed range.
So, I'll assert that before you do your first takeoff, decide that your
first takeoff emergency glide speed will be either 75 or 80.
As soon as you get well up in the air ON THE FIRST FLIGHT, find out the
minimum flying speed as claimed by that ASI, multiply it times 1.4 and use
that for your best glide speed / approach speed until you can do further
testing.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
Ed
