On Sun, 21 Nov 2004 23:51:25 GMT, Mitty wrote:

I've been taught to set the prop to high RPM on final, but I don't like this
very much because then, when I run my checklist for the first time on downwind,
I have to leave one item "open."

So what's wrong with doing it on downwind? (This in a Cherokee 6 or and Arrow)
It seems to work fine, does not disarrange the engine, etc. I suppose there
is some small noise increase, but hardly much.

So (1) is everyone taught to do it on final? (2) Why? (3) What's wrong with
doing it on downwind?

It depends on the airplane and prop, but it increases noise and drag.
Drag isn't bad if you wish to slow up and it's not at all uncommon to
wish to do so on down wind. OTOH that is not a problem with either
the Arrow or Cherokee family.

If you go full RPM in a Bonanza or Cessna 210 with a 2 blade prop,
the neighbors will not like you. With those there is a big increase
in noise until the MP is back to the point where it's controlling the
RPM.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

TIA