BFR that made me sweat.

AdamZ

AdamZ

Touchdown! Greaser!
Joined
Feb 24, 2005
Messages
14,869
Location
Montgomery County PA
Display Name
Display name:
Adam Zucker
So yesterday I had the BFR that kicked my arse. So much better than some of the easy peasy lemon squeezy BFRs I've had. It really made me sweat and I learned a lot and made me think even today about things. Did some incredible stall practice that made me uncomfortable but happy we did them including a stall in a 20 degree climbing turn. It gave me a good shot of confidence. The other thing as I said was I thought about the BFR today ( the day after) always learning right?

Anyway one of the things that stuck in my mind was when my CFI Arnold pulled power for a simulated engine out and I picked a field to land in. I have to admit I picked a pretty crappy field, it was kind of short and had water on the far end, but what I thought about today was was any field a good place to land. We have had a ton of snow here and we've had some warmer Wx in the 40s and the snow has melted. Just about every field here is soft due to the melt. So I'm thinking with a plane with lap belts and fixed gear would a road have been better? Not a fan of suburban or country roads with telephone poles and wires and such but I'm wondering whether a wet field would have the best of the two choices. My other was a astro turf vacant HS football field, yea I know its only 300' well something to think about.

Also did some great engine out in the pattern work. Learned a lot there too. Its so nice to have a CFI that cares more about just checking off requirments
 
FYI if there was water in the far end of the field you are landing downhill. Might not matter but it makes the field shorter.
 
Minimum 425ft for the football field. Either that or a road would have been my choice. :dunno:

If you can find a road with a turn lane or a cul-de-sac, that's 40ft+ to play with- not a huge amount of room but doable.
 
Considering how most pilots can't put a small single into a football sized space if they're not having an emergency and have thrust I sure wouldn't try for that. Hitting things is really really bad.

I pretty much will always take my chances with nice open fields versus tight areas with things that will bring me to a sudden stop before I've even touched the surface..

Always think about what will place you at the lowest energy at impact. Hitting things in flight isn't that. Very likely going for roads or football field. That Cri-Cri accident involving a PoA member from a few years ago is an example of why hitting things is bad...
 
I did 20 degree bank climbing full power stalls all the time in training. Doesn't everyone do this?
 
ClimbnSink said:
FYI if there was water in the far end of the field you are landing downhill. Might not matter but it makes the field shorter.
Click to expand...

Actually this field abuts a reservoir and its somewhat flat. But you do bring up a good point.
DesertNomad said:
I did 20 degree bank climbing full power stalls all the time in training. Doesn't everyone do this?
Click to expand...
Nope never did before but sure glad I did this time.
 
Most pilots going into a short field won't get it right without practice, unless they are constantly landing on "brick one" power off.

Spring time in a field, it's wet you won't roll far if you are not flipped first.
 
DesertNomad said:
I did 20 degree bank climbing full power stalls all the time in training. Doesn't everyone do this?
Click to expand...

I had to do a 30 degree version last year for a rental checkout. First time doing that - all my other stalls were straight up! So I'm going to say no...
 
...yeah my CFI had me doing turning stalls all the time. I didn't have to do one on my checkride though - it was a standard level stall for both.
 
kenjr said:
...yeah my CFI had me doing turning stalls all the time. I didn't have to do one on my checkride though - it was a standard level stall for both.
Click to expand...

I think it is a good idea considering.
 
Turning stalls are in the Private Pilot PTS. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of CFI's don't teach them if they know the examiner isn't going to ask their students to perform one on the check ride.
 
Dave Theisen said:
Turning stalls are in the Private Pilot PTS. Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of CFI's don't teach them if they know the examiner isn't going to ask their students to perform one on the check ride.
Click to expand...

We did lots of them in training, and I go out and do them on my own. Funny thing is, if you're coordinated, a stall is a stall. The plane cares (or knows) not if it's turning or not. Yeah, it looks and feels weird, but really a turn is nothing but climbing sideways. (yeah, yeah, we beat that to death a while back)
 
Sounds like a fun BFR. I did a couple turning stalls during my training, then on my Private checkride I had to do one - I was expecting the standard straight-ahead climbing stall, but noooope.
 
I'm pretty sure you know this already, The word Biennial was dropped and they are now just called flight reviews. Just a fun fact I'm not trying to beat you up or anything.
Next time you are with a CFI have them go over accelerated stalls and cross control stalls. There is some fun to be had there too.
 
DesertNomad said:
I did 20 degree bank climbing full power stalls all the time in training. Doesn't everyone do this?
Click to expand...

I didn't ... got to try it the first time on the PPL ... no problems. It did have my attention. DPE stated if we entered a spin that was OK as long as I corrected it (I think he was joking).
 
ClimbnSink said:
FYI if there was water in the far end of the field you are landing downhill. Might not matter but it makes the field shorter.
Click to expand...

Not always. As I type this I am looking across a 1,500 ft long field to a pond that is at least 75 ft higher than I am.
 
Bill Jennings said:
We did lots of them in training, and I go out and do them on my own. Funny thing is, if you're coordinated, a stall is a stall. The plane cares (or knows) not if it's turning or not. Yeah, it looks and feels weird, but really a turn is nothing but climbing sideways. (yeah, yeah, we beat that to death a while back)
Click to expand...


Bill, EXACTLY!

GMascelli said:
Adam,

Sounds like a good work out! Now you're ready for some IFR work. :yes:
Click to expand...

I can't wait Gary.

NJP_MAN said:
I'm pretty sure you know this already, The word Biennial was dropped and they are now just called flight reviews. Just a fun fact I'm not trying to beat you up or anything.
Next time you are with a CFI have them go over accelerated stalls and cross control stalls. There is some fun to be had there too.
Click to expand...

Yes I knew that but I also refer to CDs as Albums. :D
 
danhagan said:
I didn't ... got to try it the first time on the PPL ... no problems. It did have my attention. DPE stated if we entered a spin that was OK as long as I corrected it (I think he was joking).
Click to expand...

Maybe he was looking for you to reply that a turning stall isn't any more likely to cause a spin than a straight-ahead stall, as long as you keep it coordinated. It's the uncoordinated stall, turning or straight, that'll bite you.
 
AdamZ said:
So yesterday I had the BFR that kicked my arse. So much better than some of the easy peasy lemon squeezy BFRs I've had. It really made me sweat and I learned a lot and made me think even today about things. Did some incredible stall practice that made me uncomfortable but happy we did them including a stall in a 20 degree climbing turn. It gave me a good shot of confidence. The other thing as I said was I thought about the BFR today ( the day after) always learning right?
Click to expand...

Adam,

Sounds like you found a really good CFI and got your money's worth! IMO, that type of flight is more fun as well - Where's the challenge in going up and flying around in circles for an hour?

I have a CFI that I really like because he kicks my ass. Last time I did a BFR/IPC with him it took 3.5 hours - Worth every minute and every penny!
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Maybe he was looking for you to reply that a turning stall isn't any more likely to cause a spin than a straight-ahead stall, as long as you keep it coordinated. It's the uncoordinated stall, turning or straight, that'll bite you.
Click to expand...
Skidding stalls in a bank in a Bonanza can get..well..exciting.
 
Snow sucks if it's even somewhat deep and you have no skis or fat tires.

 
DesertNomad said:
I did 20 degree bank climbing full power stalls all the time in training. Doesn't everyone do this?
Click to expand...

The first time I remember doing one was during my PP check ride in 2001. I don't recall ever doing one in training. That said, I remembered that the 172 liked to drop the left wing in a stall, so I turned right, stalled, let the wing drop, caught it at level with the rudder and recovered from the stall. Really wasn't a big deal.

Now, it does sound like you had an excellent BFR. I haven't flown since last July and when I do get back up it will be with a CFII who I will expect to make sure I still know how to fly an airplane.
 
I got to try out some canyon turns on my BFR. It's amazing just how fast you can get a 172 turned around.
 
AdamZ said:
So yesterday I had the BFR that kicked my arse. So much better than some of the easy peasy lemon squeezy BFRs I've had. It really made me sweat and I learned a lot and made me think even today about things...
Click to expand...
Good on you Adam. That's the kind of BFR that every pilot needs to submit him/herself to every time. :rockon:
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Maybe he was looking for you to reply that a turning stall isn't any more likely to cause a spin than a straight-ahead stall, as long as you keep it coordinated. It's the uncoordinated stall, turning or straight, that'll bite you.
Click to expand...

I believe my DPE, after other occurences on the check ride, might have been actually hoping to see a recovery from an incipient if not a full developed spin. Before final landing he said, "you did well - my plane ... I want to show you something" and was about to demonstrate the impossible turn ... an inbound straight in Lear shot that lesson down though. This DPE really knows his stuff and followed up years later to insure I did an unusual attitude, spins, and initial acro lesson with one of the nearby CFI's as he had suggested upon completing the PPL.
 
flyingcheesehead said:
Adam,

Sounds like you found a really good CFI and got your money's worth! IMO, that type of flight is more fun as well - Where's the challenge in going up and flying around in circles for an hour?

I have a CFI that I really like because he kicks my ass. Last time I did a BFR/IPC with him it took 3.5 hours - Worth every minute and every penny!
Click to expand...

He is a good CFI. Actually met him her on POA. A very knowledgeable guy.

jesse said:
Skidding stalls in a bank in a Bonanza can get..well..exciting.
Click to expand...

Spike and I were just talking about this last night.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top