Michael wrote

During the annual flight review on light twins, I will actually feather and
shut down a 'failed' engine in the cruise as part of currency training.

Confidence indeed - that the shut down engine would start again.

In most light twins the remaining engine only take you to the scene of the
accident. I have only had that done to me once, in the circuit. Zero thrust
settings teaches the student everything they need to know about asymmetric
flight on type with an acceptable risk factor. 

==========================================================================

What is the ratio of out-landing accidents to on field accidents to
in-flight accidents? Without the figures to refer to my expectations would
be more experienced pilots are having the more serious accidents during
out-landings.  Out-landings are unplanned and in my opinion the most
dangerous aspect of gliding. My opinion is of course bias; I have had an
out-landing accident.           

The GFA has to change the safety culture within the membership, this starts
with the Directors who direct the NGS instructors to make it so. When was
the last time you saw a gliding accident or even a demonstration of poor
airmanship my an experienced pilot investigated? 

SDF 
 

  
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Texler,
Michael
Sent: Tuesday, 24 April 2007 3:04 PM
To: Discussion of issues relating to Soaring in Australia.
Subject: [Aus-soaring] Flight discipline, checks and leading by example

More Ranting!

Even after all these years of flying, I do my checks out loud and positively
do the actions required of the checks. It lets others know that I doing my
check (so please do not disturb unless there is a problem that directly
threatens the safety of my flight), it also lets my instructor know how I am
doing my check (during a flight review or check ride), and hopefully sets a
good example for others.

I have undergone light twin engine endorsements, much of the training
involves so-called touch drills (i.e. engine failure after take-off: fly
aircraft, mixture up pitch up, power up, dead-leg dead engine, confirm with
throttle, confirm feather). But when confirming feather, I touch the pitch
lever, and the instructor gives me back zero thrust power on the 'failed
engine'. 

During the annual flight review on light twins, I will actually feather and
shut down a 'failed' engine in the cruise as part of currency training. It
is also a great confidence booster that you can actually do it!

Even more importantly, in the pre-take-off safety brief, we identify when
the engine failure drills will be done, so any other engine failure outside
of this time are real and will be handled accordingly.

Ahem, back to gliding.

I believe that the take-off safety brief is a very important part of the
ABCHAOTIC pre-take off checks. It is usually slotted in amongst the 'O' for
outside. Everyone should have a plan, and identify critical decision points
for the launch, i.e. land ahead options, decision point for when this no
longer becomes possible, off-field landing options, when these become
possible, etc.

Checks, instead of being trite annoyances, are also there to focus your mind
on critical actions that need to be done for the different phases of flight.

With regards to the conduct of the rest of the flight, that comes under the
big area of airmanship.

However, with students, I try and impress upon them what I call
non-negotiables:
1) Always have a good and effective lookout
2) Safe speed near the ground (except when flaring to land!)
3) Minimum height-loss stall recovery
4) Minimum height-loss spin recovery

I think it is incumbent upon the more experienced pilots to lead by good
example.

And if experienced pilots have developed bad flying habits or sloppy
airmanship, they should be humble enough to accept advice and direction, and
to desist from their bad habits and sloppy airmanship!

More rant, sorry

M.T.

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