I'll always remember what my instructor said to me when I became a bit stressed after the engine actually died when he cut the throttle at 300 ft during takeoff on a flight test. He said "come on, you've flown out of here plenty of times, you should know where you're going to put it down". The choices at that airstrip weren't wonderful, but I realised he was absolutely right - for most flights that's one decision that should already be made in the event you suddenly find yourself in a glider. The only exception I can see is if it's an airfield you've never seen from the air - and even then you could (probably should) usually ask someone with local knowledge what the best option is before you start the engine.
Fortunately, while he was telling me I should know where to go my instructor was also on the starter button and got the engine restarted so we didn't have to put it down in a swamp. I concentrated on achieving and maintaining best glide speed then turning towards the least treed area. I must have done OK because he passed me, but I learned an important lesson that day. Always be prepared for an engine failure and review your options frequently. Tony King Queensland Australia On 04/02/2009, [email protected] <[email protected]> wrote: > > Guys, > All the conversation is great on the subject and everyone is a benefactor > of it. The only thing beyond the knowledge is the ability to process it at > the right time and the fastest possible way. I have one very real engine out > on take off and I consider myself very lucky (I often say I am the luckiest > man I know). Mark said 38 seconds from 500 feet. Think about just that fact > alone. Time is not on your side for many of the things you could do. The > only important things that first make sure you keep the wing flying then > your decision where your going. There is not any time for changing your > mind, There is no time for indecisiveness, The only thing anyone has going > for them is their smarts and how they have planned for this event. I always > have the event on my mind on take off and have a constantly changing plan > based on decision points in the take off. BTW- I did intentionally use what > I thought was min sink speed as soon as I made my decision (about 65 mph). > My goal was to stay in the air as long as possible, even if that was only 1 > or 2 seconds longer. > Joe Horton > ____________________________________________________________ > Click to learn about options trading and get the latest information. > > http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/PnY6rw2SBFqeekTkG1Ms51U6i8Cp4ZBAsnxm4NsdtayC8ZDJzvfOo/ > _______________________________________ > Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp > to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to [email protected] > please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html >
