I have 100 mph gear speed on my 1946 Johnson Rocket -- I have found the
best way to bleed off speed is to do the 360 overhead approach, where
you overfly the runway, on desired runway heading, at pattern altitude
and "break" to the downwind (assuming that nobody is already on
downwind), reducing throttle as speed bleeds off. i hit gear speed about
the 180 degree point, drop the gear, drop flaps even with the TD point
and continue with a short base and final.

If you do it right, you won't have to add any power and can make the
numbers with a nice 3-pointer. This also works great in a T-34.

Gee Orval, you must be a lot fun for ATC at a busy controled field.



I gotta ask, is this really that tough on ATC? I have been vectored in to
busy airports on more than one occassion in almost exactly the same pattern.
They brought me in over the field at 1500 AGL from whatever direction, then
turned me straight into the downwind (there never is anyone flying the
pattern at these fields) then called my base.

Worked well for everyone.