Actually, a very desirable characteristic for a training aircraft - it demonstrates to a student exactly what can happen. However, it is highly undesirable for an early solo glider though for the same reasons. So if you insist on a fleet of identical 2 seaters, or only have 1, it is a poor choice.
Also, just remember that the Puchaz has a higher 1g stalling speed than a K13 or similar, as a result, it's 2g stalling speed is higher - about 56 knots from memory - so a steep turn, top of a winch launch, etc - funny, that seems to be where a lot of the "surprise" spin accidents / incidents have happened. Many instructors I have flown with have wanted to maintain 50 knots on a winch launch in any glider. This is a dangerous attitude. Those who are experienced flying the Puchaz have a different attitude and emphasise the minimum and maximum for each type. Fly the aircraft, learn to recognise what it is doing and to instinctively react when needed. The Puchaz is a very predictable aircraft, more so that any other 2 seater I have flown. This does not mean it is benign or docile, but it doesn't mean that it is inherently unsafe as some are suggesting. If you don't ant to spin one, then I suggest not flying it and certainly not instructing in it - if you are frightened of it, it may well bite ! If you respect and understand it, it is a great aircraft for training in. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Derek Ruddock Sent: Friday, 24 September 2004 09:16 To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] More on spinning - US trainingrules andPuchacz spinning I disagree, not all aircraft will spin when flown too slowly at a particular angle of bank. Most aircraft give some warning that you are approaching the limits, and, if further provoked, will stall, with perhaps a wing drop. The Pooch I was flying snapped straight into a spin. A highly undesirable characteristic for what is purported to be a training aircraft. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of skf1 Sent: Friday, 24 September 2004 09:07 AM To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.' Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] More on spinning - US training rules andPuchacz spinning Derek, You missed my point. The Puch did not spin because it is a bad aircraft, it spun because I was flying it too slowly for the angle of bank I had on. All aircraft will do that. Remember the purpose of this flight was to fly close to the edge of the flight envelope, however not that close that low. The aircraft recovered as one would expect, there were no problems with the recovery. The point of sharing this with you was to provide an example why spin training, among all the other emergency or outside normal flight envelope drills we are training in are important. The Puch is a delightful aircraft to fly. SDF -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Derek Ruddock Sent: Friday, 24 September 2004 8:36 AM To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia. Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] More on spinning - US training rules andPuchacz spinning Same thing happened to me. No warning at all. That's why I don't like the things, and certainly wouldn't spin one. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of skf1 Sent: Friday, 24 September 2004 08:30 AM To: 'Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.' Subject: RE: [Aus-soaring] More on spinning - US training rules andPuchacz spinning I support spin training, and I will share this personal experience to support my position. Several years ago I was having a workout with a Level 3 instructor exploring the flight envelope of the Puch. While doing a steep turn at about 56kts the old girl just snapped into a full spin, no warning. We were at about 1000 ft agl, over the airfield. After catching up with the "surprise factor" we recovered at about 500 ft agl and flew a normal circuit. Members on the ground thought it was just part of the training sequence. Spinning is not part of the normal flight sequence unless you're doing aerobatics, and in my opinion excess height is better being burnt off, turning it into speed or distance. However like all emergency flight sequences we train for we need to be current in them. Airline companies keep their crews up to speed in emergency drills; and if it is good enough for them, it makes sense that we should follow their example. SDF _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- This communication, including any attachments, is confidential. 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If you are not the intended recipient, you should not read it - please contact me immediately, destroy it, and do not copy or use any part of this communication or disclose anything about it. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring _______________________________________________ Aus-soaring mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To check or change subscription details, visit: http://lists.internode.on.net/mailman/listinfo/aus-soaring
