At 03:12 PM 1/6/2014, you wrote: >The key here is the attitude of the aircraft. With the plane level, yes, >9" is 9" regardless of the size or shape of the airframe. But I think the >previous writer was talking about how that clearance is affected by the >attitude of the aircraft. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
For purposes of prop strike prevention, level, or slightly tail high is the only attitude that counts. Other attitudes are immaterial. If you don't have the desired clearance at that attitude, you either lengthen the gear or shorten the prop. Second level concern, will you have enough clearance to handle maximum gear deflection at gross weight . Some pilots can handle less clearance that others. I've seen a certain RV at our airport go negative 5 degrees or so on more than one occasion when landing. Watching that will give you a pucker pulse for a second or two. :-) Once, while landing a J5, I couldn't figure out why the prop wasn't dinging the pavement. After a second or two I pulled my head out of my back side and gave it back stick. It can happen in a second to anyone. There are times I can only attribute my longevity to luck. Larry Flesner
