"Matt" wrote:
do they fall out of the sky when they get wet?
Yes, just like the DG400, 200, LS-3 and many others.
Don't use strange products disigned to give long lasting lustre for
cars: they will produce much larger droplets on the wing surface, and
the problem will be worse.
Don't fly fast in the rain: lower your flaps and your speed as well.
The manual says that stall speed may increase, but any excess in speed
will be transfered to the water instantly: a big energy loss!
(a student has calculated the amount of energy needed to accelerate
100 grams of water from 0 to 60kts in a few seconds: it's about 3
times as much as the energy that would keep you flying level at the
same speed).
Water droplets will affect the tailplane too: you'll feel the stick
has different forces, generally it feels "dead". But it isn't, don't
worry.
Take care to avoid turbulence, as recovery from unusual attitudes will
become... scary!
I tried 40kts with landing (+15°) flaps on my 400, and was able to
avoid losing too much altitude. Stop for a few circles in any dry,
zero (or more) lift area, so you may later proceed gliding only when
the wings are nearly dry.
And generally, steer well clear of rain.
Aldo Cernezzi
|