On Mar 10, 4:19 pm, "Tony" wrote:
Dear Mr Crash

Since it's been decades, not years, since I was signed off as a PP,
things probably have changed, but I remember a lesson dear old CFII J
O'B taught.

He pointed out that if I was to suffer an engine failure at any time
after passing the numbers downwind and not be able to glide to the
runway, if I didn't die in the crash he'd kill me for embarrassing
him! He reserved the right, during dual instruction, to yank the
throttle full back, lean back, and cross his arms. Woe on the student
who couldn't make the numbers comfortably.

That is also how I used to teach when I was mostly flying Aeroncas and
Cessna 140's. However, most of the instructor community is starting to
change its opinion on the old "you should be able to make the runway w/
o power from abeam". The problem with that technique is that is sets
you up for a less stable approach. Today, there are far more accidents
as a result of unstable setups than engine failure in the pattern.
Many of the pilot type courses (Mooney, Bonanza), etc teach CFIs not
to pull the power abeam specifically to avoid teaching this
technique.
The way I teach now is to let the pilot maintain some power throughout
the pattern but to roll out on final such that everything is set up to
fly "hands off" below 500 feet. In most situations, if you have to do
anything more than small adjustments below 500 feet, you go around.
This technique works *MUCH* better in high performance aircraft (and
retracts) but also is ok in trainers too.
In short, you are more likely (today) to damage something with a non-
stable final than an engine failure in the pattern. When I demo
landings now I set the plane up for landing at 500 feet and cross my
arms so they can see that everything is trimmed and set up for hands
off flight.

-Robert, CFII