Losing speed in this plane is tough without chopping the power. It's a old habit and I've been trained to do power, prop and mixture changes in very slow gradual increments unless it becomes a safety issue to not do so quickly. Power reductions in 1 to 2 inch increments with at least several minutes in between. Every time I get the urge to move the throttle or prop abruptly.. I remember the engine overhaul invoice.
Whew 200 kts.. that's a fast entry. I try my best to get below 180, better 160 before approaching within 5-8 miles of the airport. Being a small, fast moving, sky colored airplane, gotta give the MT Cub drivers the best chances to see me. That backed up with frequent, quickly diminishing distance out reports to convey that 5 mi out call means I'm pretty much there already. Have been cut off so many times it doesn't phase me much anymore. Pattern high and wide! Gear at 140 fly the downwind at 120. GUM check (yes I intentionally leave out the prop to fine pitch). Base 15 flaps slow to 110, final more flaps and 100 kts, 90 over the numbers. Nothing too it. Easiest plane ever to land.
