Kneeboards, etc.

On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 13:50:43 GMT, "Dudley Henriques"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 20 Mar 2006 01:28:57 GMT, "Dudley Henriques"
wrote:

I'm not a fan of kneeboards when used in yoke equipped aircraft. I had a
friend killed demonstrating a P38 while wearing a kneeboard that was
considered a major contributing cause in the crash.
As for GA airplanes with yokes, I just don't like the distance equation
between the yoke and the kneeboard as the yoke comes aft in it's normal
travel for positive pitch.
It's a judgment call of course, and some pilots do use them and haven't
complained of issues, but my business is flight safety, and I always make
it
a point to mention how I feel about kneeboards when asked, or when not
asked
:-) if someone posts here about using them.
Just be extremely careful and aware of the possible control confliction
issue.
Dudley Henriques


A very interesting reply Dudley. I have short legs so sit fully
forward in PA28/C172. I also make a point of reducing the seat height
to it's lowest to give maximum clearance for just that reason. When
checking for 'controls full & free movement' it's the mid range fully
left or right which affects me! Unfortunately my wife has very much
longer legs and I have to remember to warn her when I'm checking 'full
& free movement' :-)

David

As I said David, it's a toss up, like everything else in the add on goodies
category you can stuff in the cockpit with you :-)
A lot depends on the specific airplane you're flying as to exactly where
something will go. You can put something one place in one airplane that will
conflict like hell in the next one you fly.
The basic answer with these things is to be aware, which obviously you are.
What I would do in your case is to actually sit down in the cockpit of each
airplane of choice on the ramp and physically check your favored seat
position vs control movement vs the exact kneeboard of choice. You will
either find it's a non issue or a POSSIBLE issue. If it's a POSSIBLE issue
in any situation,(consider the crosswind flare carefully) then make your
decision based on this input.
Dudley Henriques


Dudley, thanks.
If there was any problem my answer is to keep my knees slightly
further apart and let the left side of the kneeboard fall between my
legs. As for my Wife she knows that she'll have to move!!!

Most 172's means I only get full rudder using the balls of my feet but
the Warrior allows me to be more flat footed, which I prefer!

As you say you need to just sit in the cockpit and work it all out.
I once deliberately made a X/wind landing in the Warrior with about
15Kt X/w and 25° flap, just to see if I could cope if I had to. I'm
pleased to say it went well and I'm still here, although one pilot
listening on the frequency said afterwards why on earth would you want
to do that :-) Why? for the same reason I took off to 200ft and did a
PFL to the runway, just to make sure I could, should the fan stop for
real.

David

In article ,
wrote:

If there was any problem my answer is to keep my knees slightly
further apart and let the left side of the kneeboard fall between my
legs.

I wear my kneeboard on my right thigh and roll my kneeboard to the
outside of the of the thigh when not being used.

cpw wrote:

What do the rest of you do to manage
checklists, charts, airport info, etc?

After trying various pilot-supply kneeboards, I finally built my own, more
functional flight organizer.

I started with a small, 3-ring binder (day planner size) I purchased for US
$5.00 at Staples, then modified it by slicing the plastic on the back of
the binder open to insert an old, ASA aluminum kneeboard I had. This
kneeboard on the back of the binder provided a firm, stable surface
complete with a velcro wrap that I could wrap around my leg.

I then inserted four Jeppesen tabbed kneeboard-sized dividers in the
binder, marking each tab with "Normal Checklists, "Emergency," "Reference,"
and "Approaches."

Using MS Excel, I created customized color checklists for both normal
procedures and emergencies (based on the POH, but in a locigal, flow order)
and inserted these into the binder.

Both the front and back inside binder covers had pockets, so I removed the
velcro off a second ASA kneeboard I had, trimmed it to size, then inserted
it into the inside front pocket of the binder specifically to use the
clipboard functionality. In the event I didn't have another ASA kneeboard,
I could have used any small clipboard. This clip holds my flight plan and
fuel management sheet.

Before every IFR flight, I will pull out the approaches for my departure,
arrival, and alternate airport and file them in the clipboard. The pocket
on the back inside cover holds two en route IFR charts. Within arms length
is the Jeppesen approach plate binder for my route, but this is only needed
for an unplanned diversion.

And finally, I have miscellaneous items filed under the reference tab of
this notebook, such as blank flight plan form, blank PIREP form, V speeds
for various weights, and an XM Satellite Radio channel guide.

Open on my lap, this organizer is about 3/4 inch higher than my lap. In
very turbulent landing conditions I remove the lapboard to fly the approach
(but use a yokeboard for the approach plate).

I certainly understand and respect Dudley's concerns (stated elsewhere in
this thread), but the organization and access to emergency data far
outweigh the risk of this binder interfering with the controls.

If you are interested, I could snap some pictures of it and post them to my
website (This Thursday evening at the earliest due to business travel).

--
Peter

Cpw,

The Zuluboard kneeboards from Zuluworks are pretty much perfect for my
needs. In addition, I use a yoke clip to which my timer is velcroed,
but that wouldn't work if you put a GPS there.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Peter, I'd love to see some photos of your concoction...sounds like
just what the doctor ordered!
CPW

cpw wrote:

Peter, I'd love to see some photos of your concoction...sounds like
just what the doctor ordered!

Thanks, CPW. Give me until Thursday night when I return home from my
weekly business trip and I will post them to my site and provide a link in
a follow-up post to this thread.



--
Peter

cpw wrote:

Peter, I'd love to see some photos of your concoction...sounds like
just what the doctor ordered!

Here is a quick page I slapped together with some pictures and text about
the IFR Flight Organizer I made two years ago:

http://thericcs.net/aviation/misc/if...Rorganizer.htm

It has seen a lot of action, so I apologize up front for the tired look.
However, what it lacks in beauty it more than makes up in functionality.


--
Peter

"Peter R." wrote in message
...
Here is a quick page I slapped together with some pictures and text about
the IFR Flight Organizer I made two years ago:

Nice. I especially like the use of duct tape, rather than simply using a
grinder to smooth the snipped edges.

I was also amused at the privacy tape over your last name, on a photo posted
to your own web site (and thus, with an attached registrant record with your
full name, address, and phone number). But I suppose this actually makes
sense, to limit distribution of personal information if the photo should be
copied elsewhere.

Anyway, thanks for sharing...you've got a nice organizational system there,
and I won't mind copying useful bits and pieces from it.

Pete

Peter Duniho wrote:

Nice. I especially like the use of duct tape, rather than simply using a
grinder to smooth the snipped edges.

Thanks. I am not a metal worker by trade so there are obvious signs of a
knowledge and tool deficit.

I was also amused at the privacy tape over your last name, on a photo posted
to your own web site (and thus, with an attached registrant record with your
full name, address, and phone number). But I suppose this actually makes
sense, to limit distribution of personal information if the photo should be
copied elsewhere.

Yep, I have been burned by Usenet trolls in the past. Granted that it
really is not that difficult to dig up the information, but at least they
have to work for it. I don't want to be handing it to them on a silver
platter.

Anyway, thanks for sharing...you've got a nice organizational system there,
and I won't mind copying useful bits and pieces from it.

No copyright on the design so steal away. In fact, if you have any
improvements, I would enjoy reading about them.

--
Peter

The best way to treat edges of metal is a mill file and draw
filing. Duct tape will melt and leave sticky residue. If
you want a treatment for the edges, after filing, get some
rubber channel and use a RTV compound to secure it.



--
James H. Macklin
ATP,CFI,A&P

--
The people think the Constitution protects their rights;
But government sees it as an obstacle to be overcome.
some support
http://www.usdoj.gov/olc/secondamendment2.htm
See http://www.fija.org/ more about your rights and duties.


"Peter R." wrote in message
...
| Peter Duniho wrote:
|
| Nice. I especially like the use of duct tape, rather
than simply using a
| grinder to smooth the snipped edges.
|
| Thanks. I am not a metal worker by trade so there are
obvious signs of a
| knowledge and tool deficit.
|
| I was also amused at the privacy tape over your last
name, on a photo posted
| to your own web site (and thus, with an attached
registrant record with your
| full name, address, and phone number). But I suppose
this actually makes
| sense, to limit distribution of personal information if
the photo should be
| copied elsewhere.
|
| Yep, I have been burned by Usenet trolls in the past.
Granted that it
| really is not that difficult to dig up the information,
but at least they
| have to work for it. I don't want to be handing it to
them on a silver
| platter.
|
| Anyway, thanks for sharing...you've got a nice
organizational system there,
| and I won't mind copying useful bits and pieces from it.

|
| No copyright on the design so steal away. In fact, if you
have any
| improvements, I would enjoy reading about them.
|
| --
| Peter