gliding back to your departure airport

"Harold" wrote:

If a small single engine plane can out-climb its engine-out glide ratio from
take off through the top of climb point, wouldn't it follow that it can
always theoretically make it back to the departure airport in the event of
engine failure ? Assuming straight out departure, no wind, and the altitude
loss in the 180 turnback is offset by the runway portion you didn't use.
I'm not clear what you mean by that.
If
my best glide is 85 KTAS and it loses 700 fpm at that speed, shouldn't I be
guaranteed I can make it back if I climb at 84 KTAS and 701 fpm ?

If by your statement above, you mean that the runway is long enough
that if you can't turn back, you can land straight ahead, then of
course your statement is trivially true. If not, how can you turn back
from 10'?
--
Alex
Make the obvious change in the return address to reply by email.

If by your statement above, you mean that the runway is long enough
that if you can't turn back, you can land straight ahead, then of
course your statement is trivially true. If not, how can you turn back
from 10'?


Do it the way the Space Shuttle does it (theoretically). If they have an
abort between liftoff and 4 min 20 sec (I think), they are supposed to
execute an RTLS abort (Return to Launch Site). Problem is that no matter
what the situation is, they can't do squat until the SRB's are off the
stack. Once those puppies are lit, your in for a 2 minute ride whether you
want one or not.

After the SRB's seperate, the shuttle is supposed to fly around with just
the External Tank attached for long enough to burn up fuel and then they cut
the engines (if there are any burning) and drop the tank, then glide safely
home (again...theoretically). After the 4:20, I guess they file a missed
approach and are diverted.....to SPAIN!!!!

I truly hope that it is never required, but I've always wondered if this
thing would actually work. We all know that the Shuttle has a glide ratio
somewhere between my Ford Ranger and a brick 0, so it would be interesting
to see how this thing would actually play out.

I don't think this procedure is ever going to make it into our C150 POH's.
But who knows. 100 years ago, we weren't supposed to be able to fly either.
Hrmmm. "Introducing the all new 2067 Model Cessna 150, complete with your
choice of Wheel Pants or JATO packs....."


Jeff

wow...sorry, way off topic........More on RTLS if you ca

http://makeashorterlink.com/?G2B044B46