Chess In the Air
DECEMBER 6, 2024
Self-launch from high-altitude airports, not just from Boulder but also after a possible landout at another airport. The density altitude can be several thousand feet higher. A lifting aid is required to mount and remove the tail dolly which is a bit of a nuisance. All motor gliders are heavy and the V3M is no exception.
Fear of Landing
APRIL 19, 2024
The operator confirmed that the tail rotor had been installed the day before the accident. A mechanic had found a worn feathering bearing in the tail rotor hub and blade assembly. The tail rotor’s responses and vibrations are measured in order to adjust the weights of the rotor blades and/or the alignment of the rotor assembly.
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Professional Pilot
AUGUST 8, 2024
The combined effects of high density altitude, published gradients, and optical illusion of a down-sloping runway at night all indicate a higher probability of an unstable approach. The ceiling is 800 ft overcast. This is when a pilot has a knowledge of the rules but makes a conscious and deliberate decision to violate them.
Plane and Pilot
AUGUST 2, 2024
Show Low Airport sits at an altitude of 6,415 feet. I calculated the density altitude that day to be 8,800 feet. One airport witness, a helicopter mechanic, said there was oil “all over the airplane, wings, and tail.” It seemed to the friend he had “little or no training on leaning the engine.”
Professional Pilot
JUNE 10, 2024
The company is named for the red-tailed hawk – a large bird of prey commonly found throughout the region. Operations With a field elevation of 4579 ft, and density altitude frequently reaching 9000 ft in the summer, Redtail Director of Operations Dan Wheeler keeps aircraft performance on everyone’s mind.
Chess In the Air
JULY 4, 2022
Once Shmulik was in the pattern the key thing that possibly could have helped him (besides a greater altitude) is a very high airspeed to get out of the sink and safeguard against the sudden tail wind. In still air, the climb rate under full power is likely in the range of 3-5 kts given the high density altitude environment at Rifle.
Chess In the Air
JUNE 24, 2022
The Rifle ASOS recorded a gust of 43 mph from the south: a 100-degree shift in direction, putting it right on his tail. However, at 5:36:23 he still had an altitude of 7025 ft MSL, i.e. a normally very “safe” pattern altitude of almost 1500 ft, and prudently began to head toward the east end of the runway.
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