"If you can't make the field, you're too low."

[rwanttaja]

High drag aircraft such as what Frank and I have don't require power for a smooth landing following a steep glide, but they do require very precise speed management and timing. It takes discipline and a lot of practice to keep the nose pointed at the ground until you are practically on the runway before breaking the glide and greasing the landing.

I descend until I see the ants cringe. Then I pull back.

Ron "Why are my gear legs poking through the wings?" Wanttaja

[HAPPYDAN]

+1 to normally yes. My normal pattern keeps me within gliding distance of the runway. I pull power to idle when abeam the numbers on downwind then 'glide' through base and final to touchdown on the numbers. I consider it a 'failure' if I have to add power due to miscalculating winds, etc.

This is a very effective technique for landing an LSA. Most, due to light weight, have a very good glide ratio. On short final, slip if too high, add power if too low.

[Sam Buchanan]

High drag aircraft such as what Frank and I have don't require power for a smooth landing following a steep glide, but they do require very precise speed management and timing. It takes discipline and a lot of practice to keep the nose pointed at the ground until you are practically on the runway before breaking the glide and greasing the landing. You only get one chance for the smooth landing before airspeed decays. Carrying just a little power vastly increases the size of the airspeed target and makes landings much less.....exciting.
A bounce occurs when the plane is flared too high and airspeed and inspiration are depleted at the same time.

I descend until I see the ants cringe. Then I pull back.

Ron "Why are my gear legs poking through the wings?" Wanttaja

Yep, that's what I'm talkin' about!

P.S. Ron, sorry to hear about the challenges in your corner of the community, you are a valuable resource.

[rwanttaja]

I always come in high, just in case, and get rid of the excess altitude in a slip.

This is yesterday's example, with just a little slip


Ron "Thanks, Sam" Wanttaja

[Frank Giger]

And in the fairness of opposing views, here's how NOT to do that!

(Skip ahead 50 seconds)





[edit] The gun is "noodling" due to the anti-shake processing I did to the video.

[martymayes]

And in the fairness of opposing views, here's how NOT to do that!

I like it. Gave that asphalt a whippin' "Take that runway.....and that, and that too!"

[Frank Giger]

If at first you don't succeed, bounce, bounce again.

[rwanttaja]

The gun is "noodling" due to the anti-shake processing I did to the video.

I notice your video has none of the "jellying" (distant objects forming in waves) that mine do. What's your secret?

Ron Wanttaja

[Frank Giger]

It's all about placement; the "jelly roll" is usually caused by vibrations, particularly where the camera is moving forwards and backwards.

That and it's a GoPro 3 Silver.

However, my el cheapo camera, when mounted high on a strut, didn't jelly. Lower down it did, though.

[gcvisel]

When I got my tail wheel endorsement a few years back, my instructor asserted that you should always have enough altitude to reach the field if you loose your engine during the approach.
...
Thanks. ~glen

My instructor was big on coming in high, chopping power, and forward slipping it in. That way, you are just coming down the elevator with no increase in forward speed. When you release the slip, the (fast) descent stops and you are on speed.

I do keep power on if the wind is gusting much, but I'm getting good at slipping it to a spot, and crosswinds get a sideslip, but my approach is almost always high and forward slipping it down.

Works for me...