This topic has 20 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 1 month ago by DONALD LEE PETTY.
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September 3, 2020 at 12:24 am #2060
J. Brent Stabler
ParticipantFlying to Phoenix Saturday (9/4/20) to pick up my new plane. The plan is to get a check-out/ test flight with the current owner before heading back to central Florida. I am reversing my course from 5 weeks ago when I delivered my Stinson 108 to its new owner in San Diego. Its called a 108 because thats how fast we flew, 108 MPH. I anticipate the flight back to be quicker. I am returning with a CFI-I. We have decided to return VFR because it is a “new” plane to us. I am a 700+ hour VFR pilot, and he is ex USAF and Atlas Air pilot.
I am asking about any peculiarities unique to the 200. I have heard about the elevator trim setting on take off. Fuel management is a concern- but we have a Shadin fuel computer. Any others?September 3, 2020 at 7:55 am #2061J. Brent Stabler
ParticipantThat would be 9/5/20
September 3, 2020 at 1:54 pm #2062Ed Pulliam
ParticipantCongrats Brent. They are great airplanes. Things to look for:
-Trim, as you noted. I rarely adjust mine. Once you find the sweet-spot, you don’t need to do much.
-Fuel management. 4 independent 20 gallon tanks and a directive to use the main (inboards) for TO and L.
-Sink rate. It will get your attention if you let airspeed get below 90 MPH and don’t carry any power into the flare. So carry some power and once in ground effect you can pull take the power off as the mains -touch down.
-Flap extension. The Meyers has a low FE airspeed at 125 MPH. So in most cases you will be dropping the gear first to get you to the FE airspeed. It takes some getting used to in that you don’t set approach flaps first and then go to the gear. It’s just the opposite. And same for take off. The book recommends the first notch of flaps for take off. Once you get gear up and it starts accelerating, you need to get flaps retracted and stay under 125 MPH.Look forward to hearing about your trip. Holler with any questions.
Ed Pulliam
September 3, 2020 at 7:12 pm #2063Thomas Kube
ParticipantHi, my 2 cents:
What model did you buy?
If it is a D model these are the things I mention to new pilots to the Meyers:
Read the manual!
Check and understand the trim, it can kill you.
Non differential brakes, you have to press both and then stear with the front wheel.
You will need right foot on takeoff and climb.
You need to pull her off the runway, she will not fly away. I raise the gear rather quickly to gain speed. Expect her to bottom a little when raising the flaps.
Climb with 120kn.
To slow her down needs planning. To get below 130kn without gear extended I pull some Angle of attack, than drop the gear. That will give you flap speed.You fly a laminar wing, so be careful loading up the wing in the pattern. Stall speed goes up fast.
Some power to the ground and then idle and she will land Like a dream.I will endorse a young pilot to the Meyers tomorrow, really looking forward to flying her again.
You will love her!
Thomas
September 3, 2020 at 8:07 pm #2064Chris Blaine
ParticipantHi Brent, welcome to the family. A family that rarely sells their airplane – once you get a Meyers, you won’t want to go back! BTW, which one did you acquire?
That is very well written advice given by Ed Pulliam, and covers most everything that you’ll encounter. I will add a couple points here that either bit me or was mentioned to me by others. I’ll add that there may be many things I still haven’t learned and there are definitely more experienced Meyers pilots around, so if I say something ludicrous, I am hoping the Gurus will correct my guidances.
1) The airplane is fast! Many think that’s due to a high speed critical wing and therefore must watch lower airspeeds carefully and use higher speeds on final to avoid the scary sink rate that Ed mentioned. What you’ll find is that the plane can get very slow as well, with Fowler flaps allowing me slow flight near 50 IAS. Knowing that, calculations say that I could use approach speed of 65-70 IAS. Don’t do that, but realize that it will fly at a much slower speed than you should approach at. Ed’s recommended approach at 90 is good advice, and can’t go wrong while you learn the plane. I had been advised to keep speeds of 90-100, and spent lots of time hopping and skipping along the runway. I later realized the slow speed capability and lowered my speeds and started making great landings. But interpreting the gross weight, DA and other stuff to think about getting that speed back to 70ish for flaring might be your aim. The real “must” is keeping some power applied, that avoids the sinker that catches those unaware.
2) We’re fast in part because the engine is not offset like others and pulls straight ahead. With that, and 285 HP or more up front, you must tame the power application at slow speeds and be prepared for a good sustained stomp on that right rudder. Using reasonable throttle application at takeoff maintains rudder control, just don’t jam that throttle or you may wind up heading toward the fence! ALso, in slow flight your right leg will get a major workout. You can tell a Meyers owner by how much bigger their right legs are than their left.
3) The entry door can be finicky. Make sure to get it closed properly and fully for each takeoff. If it pops loose in flight it can be a major issue, and if not closed properly may over time give you lots of troubles.
4) Ed mentioned using only the Main inboard tanks for t/o and ldgs. Definitely. I always select my aux outboard tanks as soon as I get safely airborne to use them up right away. I did lose my engine while landing with the left outboard tank selected. A bit embarrassing having a stopped prop while rolling out on the runway.
I hope this helps. It is a Joy of an airplane to own and cruise around in. In most cases, you will be suddenly the airport’s most popular visitor. I am envious of your upcoming enlightenment. Keep us posted on what you’re up to, and best of luck with your new plane.
Chris Blaine
September 4, 2020 at 12:12 pm #2065Ed Pulliam
ParticipantChris and Thomas-thanks for add-ons to the ones I missed! Trust you all are well and getting some flying in. Thomas is definitely right-it takes a tug to her into ground effect. And lots of right rudder for sure. As Chris said, ease the throttle in and get the sense of how much rudder you need to keep her straight is the way to do it.
Brent-enjoy the cross country. Great way to build some time and do what the 200’s do best- which is to go!
September 5, 2020 at 2:27 pm #2066J. Brent Stabler
ParticipantThank you all. I learned something new- no differential braking. I got the “D” model with the IO-550 upgrade. We are currently 1:45 out of Phoenix flying commercial and will see how she handles 113 degree weather in a couple of hours.
September 7, 2020 at 4:56 pm #2068greg grouleff
ParticipantHi Brent, Congrats for buying a Meyers 200! Plenty of good advice from the other owners. I would add that before putting the gear handle in the down position that you put it in the up position. That way the gear lifts up off the locks and it’s easier to select the down position. Please let us know how your ferry flight home went.
September 8, 2020 at 11:42 pm #2069J. Brent Stabler
ParticipantFerry flight home went well. A little over 10 hours from Phoenix to Ocala, FL. I learned just enough to realize I have a lot to learn. My second landing was in Fredericksburg, TX in front of all the people on the porch at the Hangar Hotel. Reminded me of vultures row on an aircraft carrier.
Has anybody had one of the six gear indicator bulbs go bad? We had a scare, but finally realized they were dimmable. I need to read the manual again. I was thinking of replacing with LED bulbs.
September 9, 2020 at 12:21 am #2070Ed Pulliam
ParticipantGreat Brent! Greg’s advice is another tidbit as it makes sense to pressurize the system before you drop the gear. Yes, replace to LED ASAP. When I redid my panel in 2017 we moved lights to over the gear handle. Much more logical now.
Your 10 hours of CC will pay dividends in the future. Spending the next 5 hours close to home on air work and TO/L will make it all come together. The Meyers is a unique bird and getting systems/airspeeds/etc down takes time. I am learning every TO and L…
Congrats again. Looks like you caught a great weekend to make a big trip.
Best-
September 9, 2020 at 1:57 am #2072Doug Carroll
ParticipantCongrats – I’m a newbie wannabe owner down in Clearwater. Looking forward to hearing all about your trip and your “new” machine!
DougSeptember 9, 2020 at 8:27 am #2074J. Brent Stabler
ParticipantDoug Carroll- Feel free to fly up to FD04 and have a look and we might figure some things out about the airplane together. My phone is 256-572-4717.
September 23, 2020 at 12:35 am #2083Doug Carroll
ParticipantBrent – thanks – would love to come up and check it out though I must travel by land – no airplane as of yet. Ok if I text you? Busy at work but will be slowing some over the next 3 months… Looking forward to checking it out!
September 24, 2020 at 10:17 pm #2084Ashley Wade
ParticipantCongratulations Brent and welcome to the family! I wish that you’d been able to make it to the annual fly in which was held in Sedona, especially since you were in Phoenix. My wife and I didn’t make it due to damages to both planes (a 200 A model and a Meyers OTW) by Hurricane Laura. Next year you will be able to fly back in to Fredricksburg and shake your tail feathers at the vultures at the Hangar Hotel as that’s where the 2021 fly in will take place. There is no faster way to really understand your new baby than to attend one of the maintenance seminars at the fly in and tap into all of the knowledge there. Respect this plane, but don’t be scared of her. I bought mine after my fifth PPL lesson in a 172. Over 700 hours in her and an IFR ticket and she’s not gotten me yet. On the contrary, her performance has made me look good and probably saved my bacon more than once. A truly capable aircraft.
October 24, 2020 at 12:59 am #2103Joe Martony
ParticipantWelcome, Brent. I know your plane – it was one of three in the Phoenix metro. We fly high for cross country out here and the 200D can really make time on the descents. I’m often mistaken for a twin by unfamiliar ATC. My approach:landing habits are the same as Tom T. above. I have reliably flight planned for 200mph true. Fly the plane, but baby the door and your glass. The former as it is the only fragile part and the latter as hard to replace. Enjoy! Joe Martony N2998T, SN 371
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