buttman wrote:

'Safe' is a relative term. What is exactly does 'safe' begin and end?
You admit that a practice engine failure on takeoff is perfectly safe
when done by closing the throttle. The only difference between pulling
the throttle instead of the gas valve means you have power if you need
it. With a wide and long runway 50 feet below you, what would you need
the power for?

I admit there could be a perfectly good reason why you losing that
ability to add back power could result in an accident, but I haven't
heard it.

Hi Buttman, I'm not a CFI but and I can think of many good reasons why
not having power on tap from a glide approach _is_ a _real_ safety
issue. Are you saying that as a CFI you don't think it possible that (in
an instructing situation) you will suddenly need to shove the throttle
in and initiate a go-around? How many times have you had to add power to
control a balloon? What if you suddenly need to go around? What if the
engine takes 30s to cut out -where are you then?

Think about your human factors, cool off and, as I've said before, take
it in the chin. I'm sorry, but even with my very limited knowlege I can
see where you are wrong. Why not say 'mea culpa' and agree with your
protagonists -I would certainly respect a CFI more who can admit his
mistakes (after all, aren't all good pilots learning?).

I'm learning a lot by listening and evaluating responses here -I hope
you can too!

Cheers MarkC