#1909
 Tom Thibodeau
Participant

Hi Ed,

I typically fly a little slower than most, but 100 mph on DW, 90 mph on base, and crossing the fence (just short of threshold at 85 mph works fine for me. I carry a little bit of power into the flare, and roll it off as the nose comes up. You don’t want to try to flare at 80 mph without any throttle, as it will sink through to a carrier landing. I also tend to fly very tight DW legs <3,000 ft offset and continuous turn to final, pulling the power back abeam the desired touchdown point and setting gear down, 20 flaps, then 40 flaps and prop full forward as I roll onto final. No trim changes are required with this technique. You’ll find you are well above the VASI, but that’s fine, as I always try to keep glide energy to make the RWY while in the airport environment. VASI works for long stable Instrument approaches and not much else, if you don’t want to end up short with an engine problem.

Try this while aiming for the 1,000 ft markers (in case you undershoot touchdown point) on a long RWY so you can get accustomed to the sink rates and airspeed bleed off. Just don’t get below 85 until in the flare, and use power to adjust your glide path instead of pitch (to keep from getting slow).

If you do a true power off (idle) 180 Commercial maneuver, carry at least 115 on base (best glide) and 90 across the fence to give yourself a little extra energy for the flare and ground effect. Aim the the 1,000 ft markers and see how it goes. Airspeed control is critical, and if you find yourself low or slow, go around and try again. You may have to keep the gear up until base to final portion of turn to make the glide distance unless you stay very tight on DW and start your base turn almost immediately after reducing power (especially if you have a headwind on final).

Typically, I fly IAPs at 120 mph on final. This equates to approx 15 MP, 20 flaps, gear down. Once on short final, I’ll reduce power (carry a little above idle), set 40 flaps (not always if long runway), and prop full forward, crossing the fence at 90-85 depending on runway length. Always adjusting glide path with power while maintaining a constant airspeed (for timing).

Some things for you to practice …

VR, Tom

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