Posted for "George Shattuck" <kloop@plantationcable.net>:

 The comments on low passes/flybys are interesting and probably useful in
terms of getting the subject on the table for folks to think about and learn
from.  But it should be noted that the subject of my post was engine
management, and if that could have been a factor in the accident and loss of
the 320 in California, and should we think about, and consider it in our own
operations.  The only comment about that subject came from Chat Daniel and I
commend him for it.  There was one other about a possible throttle linkage
failure, which could have been the case.  We will all probably check the lock
nuts/rod end bearings on our machines now.  That's good.  But I admit to
throwing some bait out there and the interest is more on those reckless, shiny
assed, hot dogging, dangerous pilots who would be so audacious as to fly fast
than on mundane things like engine management.
 
 Story.  Our local CFI was on the downwind with a student when I returned one
day.  I monitored, called him in sight, no other traffic, announced my
intentions, blew up the runway for plenty of interval on the CFI who was just
turning off the abeam as I came by.  Check for traffic, pull up in a climbing
turn to the downwind to decel and get below gear speed, landed well after he
was clear of the runway.  The CFI roared up to my hangar and blessed me out,
saying he should file a near miss on me, too fast, dangerous and all that.  I
was very nice to him because shortly thereafter I took my BFR with him in my
right seat.  We did our thing and on return to our airport, I explained to him
about gear extend speed (120 kts.), pointed out my airspeed (185 kts) with
2200 RPM and about 22 in. MAP.  So, I made the appropriate calls, checked for
traffic, passed down the runway at about 190 kts. and 100 or so feet, checked
the wind sock, pulled up and around to the downwind, speed at 110 abeam, gear
down, and proceeded to squeak it on.  He only said that he didn't know of a
regulation against the procedure and went home.
 
 George Shattuck
 N320GS