Today's Message Index:
----------------------
1. 03:55 AM - Re: Lightning-List Digest: 16 Msgs - 01/17/09 (AVN100@aol.com)
2. 01:48 PM - Lightning competition (rimorbod)
3. 02:54 PM - Training (Hollis Babb)
4. 04:53 PM - Re: Training (N1BZRich@aol.com)
5. 05:17 PM - Re: Lightning RG (N1BZRich@aol.com)
6. 05:39 PM - Re: Training (GARY PENNINGTON)
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Subject: | Re: Lightning-List Digest: 16 Msgs - 01/17/09 |
1) Before you all swarm to Sedona, know that it is the prettiest and most
dangerous airport in Arizona. Slopes on both ends glisten in the sun from
shredded aluminum. Most common error: getting low on downwind over the town
(set and rely on your MSL altimeter not your AGL eyes), lower and slower on
base, then turning final and trying to claw your way UP to the runway within a
significant downdraft from the headwind spilling over the end of the butte at
you...and, lastly, trying to force a typically overloaded (four in a 172) bird
on a high density altitude day to make it to a landing when turns to lower
terrain and a retry were readily available.
2) Ref reports of nonsensical Lightning retract: I've met and chatted with
Dan on many occasions including after he was crippled and nearly killed in bad
solo crash of the sole CZAW Parrot when the Rotax puked departing Naked Lady
Ranch with company president BS Erwin and importer Danny (both openly
despise Jabiru power) watching him leave for SunNFun. DJ is nice and sincere
guy
mostly but somehow he remains a hopeless shill for CZAW... long ignoring their
bankruptcy challenges, horrendous gaps between promised deliveries and
aircraft showing up (worst in UK) and totally covering up their fraud in taking
hundreds of Mermaid deposits over five years and never building the aircraft
(ok, three prototypes and one got to a customer), now offering it as US built
at over twice the avowed price. Still no deliveries. And carrying their ads
for Parrot knowing he had totaled the only one. Such is marketing pressure
vs ethics.
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy
steps!
ttp://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=DecemailfooterNO62)
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Subject: | Lightning competition |
There will be an interesting design with incredible performance: http://www.eggenfellneraircraft.com/E2B.htm
Read this topic online here:
http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=225521#225521
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How does everyone feel about the Lightning (LSA Version--with winglets)
using it as my trainer? I am a student pilot and want to make sure I don't
buy something that is beyond my abilities, or will take me a long time to
master. How does it handle at slow speed, landing and etc.? I think I just
want to do local flying with an occasional cross country. I'm at a local
non towered AP with a 3300 ft paved runway. I like the 3 week build assist
program and also looking at used.
Thanks,
Hollis
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In a message dated 1/18/2009 5:55:30 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
sailor@mindspring.com writes:
How does everyone feel about the Lightning (LSA Version--with winglets)
using it as my trainer?
Hello Hollis,
Since you are already a student pilot, we can assume you can "multi
task" (such as walking and chewing gum at the same time - just kidding here, well
mostly just kidding), so you obviously have the basic skills and motivation
to finish your pilot training. So based on that, to my way of thinking, your
chances of success really will depend on your instructor, not you. The
Lightning is an easy airplane to fly, but like all things that take training to
develop the proper specific skills, you need to be taught by someone that has
the background, experience, patience, and the right attitude to be a good
instructor. Some instructors are great, some are just OK, but way too many are
pretty weak. Weak in skills, weak in experience, weak in motivation, and
weak in instructional techniques. In many cases, it really isn't their fault
-
as they were likely taught be others that just wanted to build flying time to
move on to a better paying piloting job. So finding the right instructor is
job # 1. After that, have that person get a proper checkout in the
Lightning by someone that is experienced in the Lightning. Then, and only then,
they
can start your training.
To be more specific about the Lightning, yes, it is very easy to land.
However, the light weight of the airplane combined with the relatively high
aspect ratio and high lift wing, make airspeed control very important. If you
are trying to land too fast, it will float some time before it slows enough
for a full stall landing. If you try to force it on the runway while still
fast, it will tend to rebound or skip back into the air. So just fly the
proper speed on final, flare just inches above the runway and hold it off until
it stalls on. There will be no bounce or rebound if you are not too fast.
That 3300' runway you fly off of is plenty long for a Lightning. With good
approaches, an experienced Lightning pilot can easily operate out of a much
shorter strip. Also, slow flight is a piece of cake. The ailerons are still
very effective at slow speeds, but the proper use of rudder for coordinated
turns becomes more important the slower you fly. So use rudders and ailerons
together while slow flying (keep the ball centered). Well, you should be doing
this all the time, but actually the Lightning basic design will allow you to
be somewhat lazy about proper rudder coordination at cruise speeds.
So, yes, with the right instructor, you can learn to fly in a Lightning.
Some time ago, I gave demo rides in the demo Lightning to two buddies that
were thinking about building a Lightning together. One was a pilot and the
other a student pilot. The student pilot also brought his instructor (a lady
instructor) so she could also get a demo ride and evaluate it for completing
his training. All three liked the airplane and the lady instructor was sure
she could finish the students training in the Lightning. The student
himself, after getting some stick time during his demo ride, exclaimed excitedly,
"I
can fly this thing". So I would suggest the same to you. Bring your
instructor to SYI, or where ever you are thinking about doing the build, and have
the instructor get a demo flight as well as you. That way everyone involved
can make an informed decision. You and the instructor (on the Lightning), and
the demo pilot (as to whether your instructor has their "stuff" together).
One other comment, just so you understand the requirements of a newly
built experimental amateur built aircraft. The first 40 hours are restricted
to a specific area and the aircraft must be flown solo by the pilot or pilots
that are doing the test flying. So your dual instruction could not start in
the Lightning until after this 40 hour test period is completed.
Blue Skies,
Buz
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy
steps!
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Subject: | Re: Lightning RG |
Brian and all,
I wrote Dan to clear up the Lightning R/G SNAFU, and he responded today
saying that it was faulty memory on his part. His response is below. Than
k
goodness it was not my April Fool's jest about the Lightning R/G that had l
ed
him astray. If any of you have not read Dan's stuff (he is often in severa
l
aviation magazines) you can check out his web site at:
_www.bydanjohnson.com_ (http://www.bydanjohnson.com)
Blue Skies,
Buz
Hi Buz:
Thanks for correcting my faulty memory. Geez, where=99d I get that? N
o, your
April Fool=99s humor didn=99t snag me.
Anyway, the web post has been corrected and I=99m grateful. Once a mo
nth,
these stories are repackaged for use in aviation print magazines with anoth
er
100,000 readers so I want them correct.
Good job on the newsletter which you surely notice highlighted.
Thanks for your kind words,
Dan
**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy
steps!
ttp://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26b
cd=De
cemailfooterNO62)
Message 6
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Good evening Hollis
I'll be happy to share my opinion with you. Of course, my opinion is
based on my flight experiences in Light Sport airplanes, Cessna 172's,
Piper Warriors and now, my Lightning. Other pilots will certainly have
different opinions. I would first emphasize that no airplane is perfect
for all applications. Heck, nothing in life is perfect...everything is a
compromise. You didn't say what aircraft you have trained in, so, I'll
assume it's a Cessna 172 or another typical "drag machine".
That said, I would classify the Lightning as a performance airplane. It
gains airspeed quickly and has little drag. The cruise speed is faster
than the Cessna or Warrior. Because of that, you'll reach your
destination much faster which means you'll have to plan farther ahead.
The Lightning is a "slippery" airplane. It does not bleed off speed
rapidly. As a result, when entering the pattern and preparing for
landing, you must begin reducing airspeed much sooner than with your
trainer. Take offs and landings are also quite different than a Cessna.
I would not consider the Lightning a "Short Field Airplane". Although,
with proper approach techniques, the landing rollout is respectable.
Some Lightning owners even land their planes on grass or dirt.
I installed the winglets on my Lightning. Mostly because I liked the way
they look. But, I believe they benefit you during slow speeds and
especially during stalls. The Lightning is a fast, good looking,
cruiser. The seating is comfortable for two adults with adequate
shoulder room.....as long as they are not big people.
I would not say the Lightning is a "Trainer" airplane, but with proper
training, you can easily fly it. I believe it is absolutely critical
that you have thorough training in the Lightning before you solo.
I now have about 65 hours on my Lightning and I am beginning to take
longer trips. Short hops are also good.
I hope this helps in your decision.
Happy flying .
Gary Pennington
----- Original Message -----
From: Hollis Babb<mailto:sailor@mindspring.com>
To: lightning-list@matronics.com<mailto:lightning-list@matronics.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2009 3:53 PM
Subject: Lightning-List: Training
<sailor@mindspring.com<mailto:sailor@mindspring.com>>
How does everyone feel about the Lightning (LSA Version--with
winglets)
using it as my trainer? I am a student pilot and want to make sure I
don't
buy something that is beyond my abilities, or will take me a long time
to
master. How does it handle at slow speed, landing and etc.? I think
I just
want to do local flying with an occasional cross country. I'm at a
local
non towered AP with a 3300 ft paved runway. I like the 3 week build
assist
program and also looking at used.
Thanks,
Hollis
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Lightning-List<http://www.matronics.co
m/Navigator?Lightning-List>
http://www.matronics.com/contribution<http://www.matronics.com/contributi
on>
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