0 flaps takeoff engine cut 7 Jan 09

* * * * DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITHOUT INSTRUCTION * * * *

Thousands of accidents have occurred following engine loss shortly after takeoff when pilots attempt to maneuver, even if it's not to perform a 180 and land downwind on the departure runway.

The UL fleet carries additional risks in this scenario: a faster speed decay due to low weight and high drag; plus, the attitudes required to prevent restore speed are generally outside the envelope normally seen by the UL pilot.

In this clip, the SeaRey in a zero-flap climbout when failure occurs. Notice that when four seconds elapse (the average time needed for a trained pilot to respond to unexpected engine failure) following power loss in a 65 mph climb, the speed is only 3-5 mph above stall.

A brisk nose-over is absolutely necessary. Not easy to do, at 300' above the ground! It takes 100' of descent with the windshield filled with dirt, rocks, trees before 70 mph is achieved and a tight turn can be initiated.

Metering the 180 degree turn and maintaining speed uses slightly more than 150 feet. Wings are rolled level and flare is immediately commenced.

The Catch 22 this technique is, only an idiot would practice it from 300, 400 or even 500 feet, since there is no margin for error.

So, there's really no way a pilot knows if he or she will have the cajones to yank through a sharp 180 degree turn nosing into the treetops.

That said, I'd heartily recommend practicing this recovery at a safe altitude: even if a decision is made to land engine-out straight ahead or make only a minor turn to an engine-out landing in real life, the stall-prevention reflex garnered from frequent practice could make the difference between success and tragedy.

Special thanks to Captain Jon Thornburgh for pointing out this unique difference of ultralights/advanced ultralights/LSAs in an engine-loss scenario. You can visit his website for more safety information at www.jonthornburgh.com

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• searey
• rotax
• lsa
• ultralight
• failure
• loss
• turnback
• stall
• recovery
• engine-out
• glide
• land
• landing
• emergency