Engine Out Landing. Big Deal?

Originally Posted by toad

Yes, a 500 ft engine out on takeoff in a light plane is more like a
125 ft rope break. Now do a 180 turn around to land.

Try to simulate this emergency some time if you have power license or
a friend to fly with. Just be prepared to see how fast the ground
comes up.

Excellent point. If might be that the glider pilot's instinctive 200 foot, 180 degree return to the runway on a rope brake might be frequently fatal under powered aircraft operations. I flew power (a Decathlon) for the first time in years this past week and actually said to myself, "there's 200 feet," on departure. There was substantial runway still beneath me and If I needed to I could have landed there or on the crosswind. If I had been at my home glider port I would have had no chance to turn 180 successfully but it might be that my ingrained glider training might have cause me to do so resulting in my demise. While I have no doubt that my glider training has made me a better pilot, the two different aircraft require different plans of action under similar situations. Glad this guy made it and glad we have all had another chance to learn a valuable lesson.

Walt