Testing your glide. Are people doing this?

"markjen" wrote

. as was done on my 4th lesson for my PPL with my instructor.
Not only stopped the engine, but made me slow down to actually
stop the prop.

There is always controversy about how realistic to make
emergency training. I think the risk of doing this training
outweighs the benefit.

What experience do you have that indicates that this is a risky
maneuver. I made it a point to do it with every one of my students
at 4-5,000' over the not-too-busy airport. With a few hours of
C-172 gliding time, the worst thing that could happen was to land
like any other glider. My homebuilt MiniMax had a 1/2 VW engine
that could not be restarted in-flight. I regularly practiced landing
with the prop stopped in it. Practice builds confidence!
What do glider pilots do when the prop stops? :-) I certainly don't
concede them any basic skills that I don't possess.

Bob Moore
ATP CFI USN
PanAm (retired)