When flying solo, I typically land with about a 1/2 full header tank to
help keep some weight aft. I also put two small 6 pound bags of sand (shot
bags refilled with sand from the construction days of old) at the rear of the
baggage area when flying solo. Although landing without the bags is fine,
I use them to somewhat keep the stick out of my gut a little bit during the
final flair and touchdown phase. The only time I land with a full header
tank is when I have a passenger, as it assists in reducing the angle of attack a
little bit on flair/touchdown and, thus, I can almost see the runway over the
nose.
Since the 235 airframe only has about 22 degrees of down flap
travel (19 degrees during flight) with its top hinge construction, reducing
the flap setting for landing is not much of an option.
Gary Edwards
LNC2 235/320
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:09 AM
Subject: [LML] Re: Request for Help
Jim,
My O-320 flies the same way as yours. One thing
that you can do to get more up elevator is to use less flaps.
I usually
land with 20° to 30° of flaps. Sometimes, with a full header and only myself
flying, I find that I don't have enough elevator for landing. Raising the
flaps by 10° solves the problem. This knowledge comes from 1,850 hours on the
plane and a few hard landings.
Lorn
> From: Jim Guldi <guldi.jim@gmail.com>
> Date:
May 28, 2012 1:17:00 PM EDT
>
> I own one of the early 235s with
an 0235 and small tail. The plane is definitely sensitive and VERY easily over
controlled...I think that is most of the problem. I also believe people don't
tell all ie problems they have had for fear of others opinion. I think the
tail is big enough. It seems from what I can gather the elevator can run out
of pitch control on landing causing a hard nose landing. My answer is to not
land on a full header tank. I don't really have that much time but I have
solved my understanding/learning curve Hope this is of some help...jim Guldi
CFI