Re: few questions!

[Mi Vida Loca]

At 10:45 AM 2/9/99 PST, you wrote:
>I´ve few questions for you guys.
>Have you had a problem about the ventil on the fueltanks? Mine leaks
>fuel, it overflows also during flying, so I grounded it. Pump should
>pump fuel from wingtanks to the center tank, right? Can anyone give me
>describtion for crosswind-landings, in details?

Landing in a cross wind in a Coupe is probably the most misunderstood skill there is. First, on final crab as much as is required to hold the centerline. As you flare for touch down hold it off as long as possible. Do not let it settle in any earlier than possible. Bleed off every bit of forward speed possible. This is to minimize the stress on the mains as well as minimize upwind wing lift. On touchdown the nose will swing around and track straight ahead without action on your part. Many pilots will advise you to push the yoke forward to "nail the nose gear". This can get you into trouble by causing the aircraft to wheelbarrow making it light on the mains. Slight or gentle forward pressure may be of some benefit if your Coupe's tail is low. If the crosswind is strong be prepared for the possibility of the up wind wing to raise as it swings around. This is simple aerodynamics, as the upwind wing swings around it picks up speed, which equals more lift, enough lift and the wing flies, the down wind wing is retreating and therefore loosing lift. Unequal lift on the wings and the one with the most will lift. This may be no more than an inch, but could be enough to lift one main completely off the ground. In the event the upwind wing does lift completely off the ground or even almost off DO NOT touch the brakes. If you do you will only be applying brakes to one main. Remember you would be running along only on the nose wheel and one main. This will cause an exit of the runway in very short order at the least, and rolling it up into a ball at the worst. While it may seem like an eternity the upwind wing will settle back down in a second or two. You can, only if well disciplined, steer ever so slightly into the upwind wing which will hasten it's return to normal level position more quickly. The coupe has the highest certified crosswind component of any production aircraft. It will far exceed that if needed. Like anything else that has established limits they should not be exceeded under normal circumstances. Both myself and a friend have personally landed in a 45KT direct X-wind. No it was not fun, but it wasn't as bad as some other experiences I've had either. It's not something you do for kicks but should the need arise it is nice to know it can be done. Take your time, don't rush it and get the feel of your aircraft before you attempt much of a X-wind. As you get the feel you will find you can fly comfortably when all the others are still in their hangers.


Dave
41 Charlie
Dave's Ercoupe Page
http://www.flash.net/~dmprosvc/dave
ICQ # 1388138
http://wwp.mirabilis.com/1388138#contactingme