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Date: Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:12:15 -0500
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From: "Robert Mitchell" <rmitch1@hughes.net>
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Subject: Addenendum...RE: [LML] Re: basic aerobatics in a 360 
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 Keith,

Response #2.
Just read this e-mail....  

Do not attempt any maneuver with anything loose in the cockpit, not even
anything in your pockets.  That's why flight suits have zippers on all the
pockets. Car keys in particular can lodge in controls and have caused
several fatal accidents.  Part of an aerobatic pre-flight must be to crawl
in the back and look for loose objects, nuts wrenches, etc.  The most
critical area for something to lodge would be the elevator bob weight.

Best thing you could do is get some instruction from a Lancair pilot
familiar with aerobatics or better yet get a few hours in a Pitts or
similar.

Bob Mitchell

-----Original Message-----
From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Keith
Smith
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2009 10:17 AM
To: lml
Subject: [LML] Re: basic aerobatics in a 360

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

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