Discussion starter
Numbers pilots should know on any plane they're flying (renting, borrowing,
just bought):
1. minimum flying speed of that plane with that ASI
2. normal approach speed by the book (assuming the ASI is correct)
3. tentative approach speed (best glide) to use before good flight
testing can be done
a. for Cessnas and higher aspect ratio wings, 1.3-1.4 times ASI
indicated minimum speed
b. for short-thick wing planes, 1.4-1.5 times ASI indicated minimum
flying speed
Numbers I think a plane owner should know about his own plane:
1. That the ASI is accurate or, if close, what's the error at each
airspeed range. (If it's not close it must be fixed.)
2. Best glide speed which will also be used for approach speed (though
some people approach a bit slower than best glide speed so they can lower
the nose and speed up if they need to stretch the glide). Best glide speed
is also best range speed for emergencies (very nearly).
3. Best endurance speed (about the same as minimum sink speed)
4. Maneuvering speed (and fudge factor for when flying at lower gross
weight)
5. Maximum structural cruise speed
6. Vne Velocity never exceed - and, don't come NEAR this because,
unless your entire control system is tight and perfect, then control surface
flutter can lurk at speeds well below Vne.
Ed
Ed Burkhead
http://edburkhead/Ercoupe/index.htm
ed -at- edburkh???ead . com (change -at- to @ and remove ??? and
spaces)
