As a low time pilot (immediately post-PPL) my instructor checked me out in a Cardinal. I had been flying a 150 the whole time but we had done a couple of xc's in the 177. I took it around the pattern and the sight picture was so different combined with poor airspeed control that it caused me to bounce once. Surprised, I bounced again then immediately recognized PIO and poured on the coals.
I've never forgotten that and have promised myself one day I will tackle that particular demon. There's a groove you get with your own airplane and I have that with my 172. I love the 177 so I'd like to make up for my ham-fistedness one day.
You went around rather than fight it so your head is already in the right place. Check this out. They refered to knots sometimes and mph sometimes so make the adjustment as you read.
[FONT="]Getting those greasers in the 177's are a snap. First, go out of the pattern and climb to a good altitude, say 3,000 or better above ground.
Set the plane up for a power off glide, with 20 degrees of flaps, and a comfortable approach speed. We were using 65 knots in Bruce's plane. In this configuration, note the amount of pitch down attitude the plane must be in to hold 65 knots and burn it into memory. Also, note how much nose up trim is required to trim for that attitude. Then go back to the pattern.
Downwind leg, 17 to 20" of manifold pressure. Opposite landing spot, carb heat, 15" mp, flaps 10 degrees and establish 80 mph glide.
Continue on a normal approach, knowing that (for now) you are limited only to 20d of flaps. On final, flaps 20d and establish the predetermined attitude for 65. If you must carry power to the runway, KEEP THE NOSE IN THAT ATTITUDE AND TAKE THE EXTRA SPEED, because when you reach the runway and reduce throttle to land, the speed will return to the target speed. You want to practice so that every approach allows you to arrive over the threshold at the same 65 attitude, flaps 20d, power completely at idle and trim full nose up.
Then make an initial flare to ONLY LEVEL THE PLANE OVER THE RUNWAY. As it settles, gently raise the nose to an attitude that obviously places the nosewheel above the mains and then freeze that attitude. You will then add tiny back pressure moves to (1) make slight checks to stop small rates of descent close to the ground and "hold the plane off of the runway and (2) to maintain that initial nose up attitude you established after the initial flare.
The trick is you are adding constant back-pressure not to keep the nose coming up higher and higher like the other box built Cessnas, but to only maintain the initial nose up attitude (with only slight rises if necessary) and let the 177 scoot along the runway until you have worked the mains down for that squeaker.
Once you get this going well for you, then go to 30d, 70 mph and do the same thing. Things just happen faster because the speed is lower and it bleeds off quicker with 30d.[/FONT]
[FONT="]Remember:[/FONT]
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Attitude is key...don't adjust attitude onfinal with power changes..take the speed variations because when you reduce to idle the plane will return to the proper speed.
Always plan your approach so as to be crossing the threshold at the same speed, attitude, and power at idle.
When the field is made, have as much nose up trim as you can stand..full is best.
If you balloon during the flare DONT EVER,EVER,EVER PUSH THE CONTROL FORWARD. Just freeze it's position and let the plane settle closer to the runway and then resume slight back pressure. If you balloon real high and your rate of descent seems too high after the baloon stops, just give a small boost of throttle to cushion the touchdown.
Be patient, don't rush the touchdown. As you get better at this, you can lower the speeds to reduce the float time. But find that sweet spot nose up attitude, hold it there and make slight stabilator adjustments to keep your self skimming above the ground until the wheels kiss it on.
Soft field is the same except that you use a litle bit of power after the initial flare as you settle to add extra cushion and helps keep the nose off after you touch.
The above is a real good standardized start. As you get comfortable and consistent with this, you can then modify as necessary to suit your needs. But the Cardinal basics don't ever change. [/FONT]
