polaris
Pre-takeoff checklist
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- Oct 6, 2013
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polaris
My flight school charges by tach time. This is great when you are flying fixed-pitch planes in the pattern/instrument approaches because your RPMs are almost always *NOT* at max rpm. (2000rpm on approaches, downwinds, etc.)
However, in a controllable-pitch plane, you are likely at high-rpm on approaches/downwind, which doesn't confer any advantages -- in fact, you are worse off, because you are being charged at 2500rpm when you are only doing 90 kts.
If the plane allows for a 20"/2000rpm cruise, is it advisable that I fly approaches and extended downwinds like that? And then go full-rpm when I am about to approach the missed approach point/short final?
Or is that too risky in case something does go wrong?
ETA: Now that I think of it, 20"/2000rpm would probably not give me the right approach speed on an instrument approach.
I am just thinking out loud, so it's not something I have tried, or will be trying any time soon. Perhaps the difference in $$ is negligible to be worth the hassle.
However, in a controllable-pitch plane, you are likely at high-rpm on approaches/downwind, which doesn't confer any advantages -- in fact, you are worse off, because you are being charged at 2500rpm when you are only doing 90 kts.
If the plane allows for a 20"/2000rpm cruise, is it advisable that I fly approaches and extended downwinds like that? And then go full-rpm when I am about to approach the missed approach point/short final?
Or is that too risky in case something does go wrong?
ETA: Now that I think of it, 20"/2000rpm would probably not give me the right approach speed on an instrument approach.
I am just thinking out loud, so it's not something I have tried, or will be trying any time soon. Perhaps the difference in $$ is negligible to be worth the hassle.
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