Landing Streaks

Dudley's answer is more descriptive, but, simply put, it's all about
pitch attitude and airspeed for the aircraft's weight at landing.
Each time you fly, you are probably at a different weight. That varies
the actual landing speed by a few knots. It also changes the amount of
pull on the yoke to get the proper pitch attitude to fly at the proper
speed for that weight.
If you use the same numbers for when the whole family is flying vice for
those times when it is just Mary and you, you will probably be too fast
and float.
Wind also comes into play, but that is different with each flight.

In a previous article, "Jay Honeck" said:
So, what is this phenomenon? Karma? The stars? Blood pressure? Phase of
the moon? It's frustrating to not be able to break down cause and effect
here -- does anyone else notice this?

I think every activity requiring dexterity (or strength or endurance, but
that's not relevant here) goes that way.

When I was a cross country ski racer, I remember every now and then I'd
have a day where I was *way* above my game. Unfortunately, some times
that happened on a training day - like the time we were training on some
hills and I found myself passing a guy on my ski team who was one of our
best climbers (and who later won a silver medal in the Olympics as a bike
racer and wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France). But once in a
while it happened on a race day, and I found myself beating guys who
normally finished way in front of me. I think it happened on a race day
twice in my 6 year racing career.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
So logically, if she weighs the same as a duck, she's made of wood, and
therefore a witch.

I follow the camp that says tension is the culprit. I just recently
did a renter's check ride in a 172 at Camarillo, CA (CMA). The check pilot
(a CFI) had me do 3 T&Gs, in addition to the other stuff. They were okay,
but just okay. My personal gauge said they were not very good landings.
Later on in the day, I absolutely greased four in a row.... with the right
seat empty. I really think it had to do with trying too hard. Forcing the
skill, so to speak.

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 14:25:53 GMT, Jay Honeck wrote:

So, what is this phenomenon? Karma? The stars? Blood pressure? Phase of
the moon? It's frustrating to not be able to break down cause and effect
here -- does anyone else notice this?

Jay,

It's funny you mention this, because, I am in a horrible landing slump. I
went up today, as it was 8 knot direct crosswinds, and I wanted to work on
getting out of my slump.

First landing. Well, say it was horrible to say the least. I touch down,
go back in the air, seeing I was too high for my own comfort, I went
around. I had a great stabilized approach, and as soon as I went below the
tree line, everything went to crap. I got a sinking feeling, I added a
touch of power, then ground effect kicks in. I touch down, go back in the
air, I float for ever, stall horn going strong, and figured forget it, just
go around. The plane just didn't want to land.

Second landing. I used 2 notches of flaps to account for the gusty cross
winds that I experience below the tree line. Mains touch, I "skip" across
the runway, as the mains touch, go up maybe a few inches, and touch again.
Plane didnt' want to stop flying, but the landing wasn't too bad.

Third landing. Again 2 notches of flaps, 78 knot approach speed nailed,
get below the tree line, and got that sinking feeling. Add a little power,
the mains touch, nose wheel touches, and goes back up the air. Nose comes
down and plane settles down. Just a weird feeling for that nose wanting to
go back up.

Fourth landing, not bad though not a greaser.

Final landing. Touch down, though not a greaser, harder landing the number
4.

Like you said in your post, there are times where I can land, and not feel
the plane touch the ground, but lately, I think I am exercising the
strength of the mains. I use my G meter to evaluate my landings, and even
though it did not register more then .5 G, I am sure I got some bad
"ratings" from the "landing judges" today.

As far as your question as to why, I think it's karma....

Allen

On Sat, 26 Feb 2005 14:25:53 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
wrote:

I've noticed something about my landings over the last few years, and
wondered if you folks have had the same experience?

Sure have. I still have the same problem after twenty years of flying
for a living. One of my instructors said "some days you're the
windshield and some days you're the bug!"

It's just one of those things, I guess...

-Jack Davis
B737

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Like you said in your post, there are times where I can land, and not
feel
the plane touch the ground, but lately, I think I am exercising the
strength of the mains. I use my G meter to evaluate my landings, and
even
though it did not register more then .5 G, I am sure I got some bad
"ratings" from the "landing judges" today.

As far as your question as to why, I think it's karma....

A few years ago my landings seemed to have gone to pot. Nothing I could
put my finger on, but I could seldom get it right. I thought I could
detect some
resistance in the elevator movement, and asked my mechanic about it. He
pronounced it normal. Then somewhat later I read an article about the
importance
of keeeping your control mechanisms lubricated - and took the advice.

Presto! back to normal. It really does make a difference.

Another thing is the use of flaps. My plane has 40 degrees in 10 degree
increments. I have found that it is best to reserve the fourth notch
for
those occasions when you really need it.

David Johnson

Just as tornadoes are caused by mobile homes, any landing other than a
perfect squeaker is caused by the hideous heavy gravity transient.

I thought they were caused by observers.

Jose
--
Nothing is more powerful than a commercial interest.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose writes:
Just as tornadoes are caused by mobile homes, any landing other than a
perfect squeaker is caused by the hideous heavy gravity transient.

I thought they were caused by observers.

It takes a heck of a lot of observers to cause a gravity transient.

Chris
--
Chris Colohan Email: PGP: finger
Web: www.colohan.com Phone: (412)268-4751

On 26 Feb 2005 14:59:04 -0800, wrote in
.com::

I read an article about the importance of keeeping your
control mechanisms lubricated

That's part of the 100 hour maintenance for PA28s.

The shaft that extends through the instrument panel must be lubricated
regularly. If it is dry, it will repeatedly bind and release as it is
pulled back during landing. Checking for control shaft lubrication is
part of my preflight check list, and is especially important with
rental aircraft. I just stick my finger in the extra quart of oil I
carry in my flight bag, and rub a little on the shaft, then move it
throughout its range to distribute it.

Casey Wilson wrote:
I follow the camp that says tension is the culprit. I just recently
did a renter's check ride in a 172 at Camarillo, CA (CMA). The check pilot
(a CFI) had me do 3 T&Gs, in addition to the other stuff. They were okay,
but just okay. My personal gauge said they were not very good landings.
Later on in the day, I absolutely greased four in a row.... with the right
seat empty. I really think it had to do with trying too hard. Forcing the
skill, so to speak.

When training for the PP I usually always greased them when I was solo, no
so much when with an instructor. Even now, (with a commercial and multi-engine
rating) I still think my landings are alot better by myself Vs when I'm with
a safety pilot (or instructor) when I'm practicing instrument approaches.

I think its just a normal psyche-karma-thingy that causes my nerves to
operate at an elevated state when I feel like I'm being observed or "graded".
:^O Its just human nature.