In a message dated 9/3/2008 8:18:17 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
malannx@bigpond.com writes:
A great comment off another list: After an engine failure "land ahead to the
hospital, turn back to the graveyard"
Turning back can be done by very good pilots and the error margins are slim.
It is a regular killer of pilots. I don't consider it an option until I have
attained circuit height unless there is a cross strip strategically placed.
I agree with the above with the exception of not turning back unless circuit
height or more.
I strongly suggest that pilots practice simulated turnbacks at altitude so
they know what the bird will do. A loaded Citabria, for example, can make a
turnback in 300-400 feet IF the pilot knows how.
I sometimes wonder if the platitudes offered by instructors can be an excuse
to not teach something. Why not just teach students how to make the
turnback in the best way? Or pull the power a few times on takeoff and let the
student discover his own reaction times? ( I suggest doing this with a lot of
runway ahead of you!!!)
I suspect about half of the turnback accidents happen because there was no
training, only verbage. Instincts to turnback at low altitude can only be
overcome with practice.
In the case of instructors who always try to stay high, it is the lack of
experience down low that can kill people. Of course having altitude means some
safety margin. But a whole lot of pilots are not prepared for low flying.
It is not the end of the world, cropdusters do it all day.
What do others think the minimum turnback altitude is for a Lightning?
Doug Koenigsberg
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