Thread: Puch spin in
View Single Post
  #9  
Old January 23rd 04, 05:21 PM
Simon Walker
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


I make no comment regarding the accident other than
to say it is truly saddening.


As far a the Puchacz goes:

In my limited experience I find it will spin more readily
than any other two seat training aircraft that I have
flown.
It also demands correct spin recovery actions to recover.
Failure to do so can result in no recovery or reversal
of spin direction.
Flown within in its weight limits, I have found no
problems.
However, as an instructor, I continually find a problem
with peoples spin recovery technique - particularly
so when they are not current.
The main problem I find is people not applying FULL
opposite rudder.
Usually I find it's actually half to two thirds. It's
possible to get away with this in just about any other
glider used for training, but try it in a Puchazc and
the chances are it's not going to work.

I'm also astounded by the amount of people who really
believe that they are applying FULL opposite rudder
when they actually are NOT.
I've even had reasonably high houred pilots argue that
they had full rudder in when they actually did not.
The other one I see almost as much is the stick going
forward ok but still with some 'in spin' aileron in.

If you waffle round a turn slow and with incorrectly
co-ordinated controls in a K13, K21 etc chances are
you'll probably get away with it unless you drastically
provoke it.
If you do it in a puchacz then the chances are that
it will bite.
No suprises here - it demands correct flying.

If you do spin your K13, DG500 etc and you apply your
two thirds rudder in recovery chances are it'll work
just fine.
Spin your Puchacz with half a bootfull of rudder in
your recovery and chances are it won't work.

Personally speaking, I really concentrate hard on making
sure I feel that pedal go right on to the stop and
the stick go centrally forward.

IMHO I suspect people get molly coddled flying around
in docile aircraft that don't highlight innacurate
flying.
I also suspect that alot of people don't regularly
spin themselves whilst flying solo and REALLY concentrate
on what they are ACTUALLY doing whilst recovering.


At 17:18 23 January 2004, Tango4 wrote:
It will be interesting to read some more detail of
the cause and specific

details if they are known.

You'll be lucky! Accident reports are rarely released
in any detail. Most
seem to get a one or two sentence wrap up in the back
of the S&G Magazine.
The feedback loop to pilots IMVHO is atrocious.

Ian Molesworth