What is a "short field" for a PA28-181

Newps wrote:


kage wrote:


On any standard light aircraft wing, all best climbs (rate of climb
Vy, and angle of climb Vx) are achieved with a clean wing. Adding
flaps causes the climb angle and rate to decrease.


Not on my 182. The manual says, and I quote...

Using 20 degree wing flaps reduces the ground run and total distance
over the obstacle by approx 20 percent.

And while I certainly don't have accurate instrumentation in the plane
my seat of the pants obsevation tells me that if I have to clear an
obstacle I want 20 flaps. I get off a lot shorter and climb to a given
altitude in a lot less real estate.

Yes, that is my recollection from when I owned a Skylane. It's takeoff
and climb with 20 flaps was impressive and I believe the speed
recommended in this configuration was something ridiculously low like 51
knots. I did this a few times for practice and the deck angle was
scary, but the old girl flew just fine.

I don't know the ins and outs of Vx and Vy, but it may be that they are
simply the best angle and rate with a clean wing, not that a clean wing
produces the best angle or rate. There is a difference...


Matt