----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 7:41
PM
Subject: [LML] Birdstrikes and other
structural damage.
Guys and Girls,
Let me share a little Air Force doctrine for you
to ponder.
First, Whenever you experience
structural damage in flight, whether from a bird, midair, someone shooting at
you or anything else, the safest speed is the one you are at - assuming
that you are still controllable. Probably somewhat slower if you
are not. This is because the stall speed is expected to increase with
any damage.
Second, Climb at a safe airspeed to a
safe altitude for a controllability check and possibly bailout.
I realize that we seldom fly with a chute and
this part is of limited use.
The controllability check is a gradual
slowing down to see if the plane is still controllable at a speed at which it
can be landed safely. Use flaps only if they appear
undamaged.
Tricycle gear airplanes have a maximum landing
speed where the nosewheel touches down first initiating a porpoise and
probable gear collapse. My 360 would probably be porposing badly at
speeds about 50 kts above normal landing speed. This is a hard number to
get exact data on. You can gradually increase landing speeds until you
touch down exactly 3 point and then figure somewhat more as a practical
limit.
I would do the controllability check as a means
to determine how messy the landing could be. Then go somewhere with
plenty of emergency equipment if needed and maybe even land gear
up.
Lastly, After the controllability check,
maneuver to your landing while holding a speed at or above the minimum you
flew on the check.
There are other checklist items also as
appropriate from your manual.
Mark Ravinski
360 1445
hrs