boydbischke
Filing Flight Plan
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- Mar 31, 2015
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Boyd
The manual for a P32RT-300T (T-Tail Turbo Piper Lance) seems to recommend a very high final approach speed (95 KIAS normal technique, and 76 KIAS short field technique). I've landed following the manual instructions for normal technique, probably 50 times, and it floats 1500-2000 feet (at elevation 4200ft).
The reason this is coming up is that I'm reading "The Thinking Pilot's Flight Manual" by Rick Durden. He has a section in the book where he emphasized that coming in with a speed well above Vso can lead to loss of control in cross-wind landings.
Some recommend 1.3 or 1.4 Vso. Vso for the plane is 52 KIAS. That would put 1.4 Vso at 73 KIAS.
Incidentally, in the POH there's also a warning that with a forward CG of 82 inches to not land below 90KIAS.
Questions:
- Why is the normal approach speed at 1.83 Vso?
- Why is there such a large spread between the short field approach speed of 76 KIAS and the normal approach speed of 95 KIAS?
- Should I be concerned with a long float that results from the POH normal technique recommendation, especially in a cross-wind?
- For anybody that flies this plane, what works well for you?
--------------------------------
For your reference, here are the relevant snippets from the POH:
NORMAL TECHNIQUE (No Performance Chart Furnished)
When available runway length is in excess of required runway length, a normal approach and landing technique may be utilized. The aircraft should be flown down the final approach course at 95 KIAS with power required to maintain the desired approach angle. The amount of flap used during approach and landing and the speed of the aircraft at contact with the runway should be varied according to the landing surface, conditions of wind and aircraft loading. It is generally good practice to contact the ground at the minimum possible safe speed consistent with existing conditions. As landing distances with this technique will vary, performance charts are not furnished.
SHORT FIELD LANDING APPROACH POWER OFF (See Chart, Section 5)
When available runway length is minimal or obstacle clearance to landing is of major concern, this approach/landing technique may be employed. The aircraft should be flown on the final approach at 76 KIAS with full flaps, gear down and idle power. The glide path should be stabilized as early as possible. Reduce the speed slightly during landing flareout and contact the ground close to stall speed. After ground contact, retract the flaps and apply full aft travel on the control wheel and maximum braking consistent with existing conditions.
CAUTION
When C.G. is forward of 82 inches, use 90 KIAS approach speed.
SHORT FIELD LANDING APPROACH POWER ON (No Performance Chart Furnished)
It may sometimes be advantageous to use this approach technique when obstacle clearance during landing is of concern. The aircraft should be flown with full flap, gear down and power sufficient for an approach path that will clear the obstacle. When obstacle clearance is assured, reduce the power and assume the 76 KIAS approach speed to landing flare. After ground contact, close the throttle, retract the flaps, apply full aft travel on the control wheel and maximum braking consistent with existing conditions. As landing distances with this technique will vary, performance charts are not furnished.
CAUTION
When C.G. is forward of 82 inches, use 90 KIAS approach speed.
4.39 STALLS
The stall characteristics of the Turbo Lance II are conventional. An approaching stall is indicated by a stall warning horn which is activated between five and ten knots above stall speed. Mild airframe buffeting and gentle pitching may also precede the stall.
The gross weight stalling speed with power off and full flaps is 52 KIAS. With the flaps up this speed is increased 5 KTS. Loss of altitude during stalls can be as great as 460 feet, depending on configuration and
power.
The reason this is coming up is that I'm reading "The Thinking Pilot's Flight Manual" by Rick Durden. He has a section in the book where he emphasized that coming in with a speed well above Vso can lead to loss of control in cross-wind landings.
Some recommend 1.3 or 1.4 Vso. Vso for the plane is 52 KIAS. That would put 1.4 Vso at 73 KIAS.
Incidentally, in the POH there's also a warning that with a forward CG of 82 inches to not land below 90KIAS.
Questions:
- Why is the normal approach speed at 1.83 Vso?
- Why is there such a large spread between the short field approach speed of 76 KIAS and the normal approach speed of 95 KIAS?
- Should I be concerned with a long float that results from the POH normal technique recommendation, especially in a cross-wind?
- For anybody that flies this plane, what works well for you?
--------------------------------
For your reference, here are the relevant snippets from the POH:
NORMAL TECHNIQUE (No Performance Chart Furnished)
When available runway length is in excess of required runway length, a normal approach and landing technique may be utilized. The aircraft should be flown down the final approach course at 95 KIAS with power required to maintain the desired approach angle. The amount of flap used during approach and landing and the speed of the aircraft at contact with the runway should be varied according to the landing surface, conditions of wind and aircraft loading. It is generally good practice to contact the ground at the minimum possible safe speed consistent with existing conditions. As landing distances with this technique will vary, performance charts are not furnished.
SHORT FIELD LANDING APPROACH POWER OFF (See Chart, Section 5)
When available runway length is minimal or obstacle clearance to landing is of major concern, this approach/landing technique may be employed. The aircraft should be flown on the final approach at 76 KIAS with full flaps, gear down and idle power. The glide path should be stabilized as early as possible. Reduce the speed slightly during landing flareout and contact the ground close to stall speed. After ground contact, retract the flaps and apply full aft travel on the control wheel and maximum braking consistent with existing conditions.
CAUTION
When C.G. is forward of 82 inches, use 90 KIAS approach speed.
SHORT FIELD LANDING APPROACH POWER ON (No Performance Chart Furnished)
It may sometimes be advantageous to use this approach technique when obstacle clearance during landing is of concern. The aircraft should be flown with full flap, gear down and power sufficient for an approach path that will clear the obstacle. When obstacle clearance is assured, reduce the power and assume the 76 KIAS approach speed to landing flare. After ground contact, close the throttle, retract the flaps, apply full aft travel on the control wheel and maximum braking consistent with existing conditions. As landing distances with this technique will vary, performance charts are not furnished.
CAUTION
When C.G. is forward of 82 inches, use 90 KIAS approach speed.
4.39 STALLS
The stall characteristics of the Turbo Lance II are conventional. An approaching stall is indicated by a stall warning horn which is activated between five and ten knots above stall speed. Mild airframe buffeting and gentle pitching may also precede the stall.
The gross weight stalling speed with power off and full flaps is 52 KIAS. With the flaps up this speed is increased 5 KTS. Loss of altitude during stalls can be as great as 460 feet, depending on configuration and
power.
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