Here's a follow-up thought . . .
In a Coupe, is the nose gear bounce back into the air (as a result of
hitting the nose gear first) more likely to occur with:
a. the nose gear fully extended and giving a full 1-foot of shock
absorption (and, presumably, energy absorption)?
b. the nose gear partially extended (maybe 4-5 inches shorter) and with
reduced shock absorption abiliity?
Ed
Some years back I took a chap flying who had just past his Private check
ride. A allowed him to fly my 415D and he did an excellent job with airwork.
He pestered me to allow him to land the plane. Since he seem so sharp in the
air I allowed myself to be talked into it.
We were landing at the Tacoma Narrows airport 5000' long towered field. His
approach was fine but during the flare he ballooned. The balloon wasn't too
bad and I said over the intercom "power-power-power" expecting him to add a
tiny bit of power to salvage the landing.
Instead he banged the yoke forward slamming the plane onto the runway nose
wheel first. I was completely caught by surprise.
The airplane did NOT bounce. It stayed planted on the runway. At that time I
had a dual fork nose gear with the snubber cable.
Inspection found no damage. Needless to say we had a heated discussion on
his landing technique.
Cheers:
Paul
N1431A
2AZ1
