Message-ID: <19990124083100.15326.qmail@www02.netaddress.usa.net>
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1999 08:31:00
From: Dan Schaefer <dfschaefer@usa.net>
To: lancair.list@olsusa.com
Subject: Pitch, uh, "responsiveness"
Mime-Version: 1.0

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To you guys (and Gals, I keep forgetting) who are commenting an the pitch
response of their Lancairs.

A couple of years back, the factory came out with a letter recommending
that we all reduce the length of the elevator control horn (that is,
the point where the push rod is connected) by an inch, if memory serves.
What I gained from this is a bit less stick movement during the slow-
speed landing regime, but the airplane seems just as "responsive" in
pitch, for gross stick movements, as ever. But hey! I've gotten used to
it and I like it just fine and most probably will too, given some time.
Of course you have to fly using just pressure on the stick but what else
is new?

The only time it bothered me any was when I started a smartly executed
right turn and found myself counting rivets on a Bonanza cowl. The jerk
had actually snuck up on me to formation station as I was slowing down
to get into the pattern.  Needless to say, it startled me to the point
that I jerked the stick and bashed my head on the canopy - Hard!
But for all other regular flying, such responsiveness is what I wanted
in an airplane and got in a Lancair.  Puts the FUN back in flying, as far
as I'm concerned.  Referring to the handling as crummy (or whatever the
phrase was) means maybe you you're not getting the fun out of this
airplane that it can provide. Too bad!

Dan Schaefer
N235SP