Fun with trailling edge dive brakes

Early PIK20, HP, SGS-135 and others have flaps only, they are different
than the trailing edge dive brakes on the Mosquito, 304, Hornet, Ventus
.....the trailing edge dive brakes are balanced with opening on top and
bottom, they do not use the same very high angle of nose down as the flaps
only gliders and techniques are somewhat different.. actually easier and
more effective with the trailing edge dive brakes....
tim


"Geoff Vincent" wrote in message
...
Scott,

I'm surprised that no PIK 20B or HP pilots have so far joined in the
trailing-edge brakes debate! I've been flying my 20B now for 2 years
(400+ hrs and 178 landings) and have to admit that landing can be a
high work-load time especially in windy conditions. Generally letting
down with 45-60 degree flaps at anything faster than 55 kts results in
a bounce or two - best results occur at around 48 kts in still air.

I've practised trying to 2-point the ship ad nausium but finally
concluded that the higher angle of attack simply increases the risk of
excessive float. Now I settle her onto the main wheel then steadily
wind off the flap to -8 degrees. The transition from neutral to -4
results in the tail-wheel kissing the ground and I then ease the stick
back to nail the tail down and progress to -8 to ensure best aileron
authority for the roll-out, using wheel brake as required.

In gusty conditions I restrict the flap setting to 30-40 degrees and
approach at Vs plus half wind-speed. One strong gust with 60+ flap
can stop you dead, drop you in and spoil your whole day as I found out
the hard way, even with 65 kts on.

Geoff Vincent
VH-GAX


On 26 Sep 2004 17:42:58 -0700, (Scott Elhardt)
wrote:

I've been happily flying my H303 Mosquito for a year now and my
landings seem to be getting worse as time goes on. I have tried a lot
of approaches to the process, but inevitably I'm faster that I want to
be and don't touch as lightly as I'd like especially with a lot of
brake out.

Any trailing edge dive brake experts care to describe your accumulated
perspectives?

Scott