On Mon, Dec 7, 2009 at 9:41 AM, Bill Kennedy <bill_kennedy_3@hotmail.com> wrote:
>I've always
> though the lazy-eight is a great maneuver with the Lancair, and I've never
> experienced any hickup doing them.

I've only just started reading the commercial maneuvers section, but
as it turns out, I've also been enjoying lazy-eights for some time in
the Lancair :)  I usually gain 900-1000ft at the 90deg point, and then
trade it all back by the end of the 180.  It feels like a very natural
way to stretch the legs of the airplane without a great deal of stress
on the pilot/airframe, or any abrupt change in direction.

> Add slow flight maneuvering to your regimen. It's a great way to stall proof
> yourself and make your coordinated control inputs nearly instinctive.

Agreed. I've been flying at a range of airspeeds, sometimes during
instrument approaches, but also when puttering around VFR.  The range
of speeds with which the airplane can fly is really quite amazing.

> Most of the non-normal flight maneuvers I do are limited to lazy-eights
> (they're a thing of beauty), chaundels (sp), and extreme slow-flight. They
> all have a very direct pay-off in developing a real feel for the airplane at
> very low risk.

I'm going to start formally practicing the commercial maneuvers (I've
done most of them from time to time, but I think it's time to bring a
bit more focus to them).  I have to say lazy-eights are a lot more fun
when started from 100ft, not 1500 :)  I am also going to guess they're
considerably easier, because there is no mistaking what 0ft looks
like, whereas 1500ft looks much like 1300, 1500, or 1700ft.  I love
being able to sense the rate of closure to the water and timing the
smooth pull so that the plane levels out precisely where you want it.
>
> Statistics suggest that there are significant risks involved for you doing
> this stuff. Make sure it pays off.

Absolutely, it's not something I'm approaching lightly.  The other
day, I took the plane out to the place where I intended to try my
first roll, but I didn't pull the trigger. I didn't feel completely
prepared, and I wasn't positive that I successfully maintain positive
G. I was concerned that the cabin (which had a lot of loose items)
would get pretty chaotic.  So, I scrapped the plan and decided to seek
some advice here first, AND prepare the cabin for next time (removing
all loose items, per the POH and common sense).

If I was more proficient, I would say that maneuvers which maintain
positive G wouldn't  require a barren cabin, if the pilot has the
experience (which I do not, yet).

Thanks for the insight, Bill!

Keith