Fear of Landing

MAY 3, 2024

The prototype lifted off, hovered and flew at a speed of 40 knots before landing. Once stable in ground effect, the pilot shut down EPU1 (left-side outboard) to simulate the performance in the case of an engine failure. The pilot then increased acceleration with a target of seven knots ground speed.

Descent 92

Descent Knot Thrust Lift 92

Pilot Institute

MARCH 26, 2024

Hold this extra power as you enter ground effect. Low-wing aircraft perform better in ground effect because of the wing’s proximity to the ground. High-wing aircraft might need more power or pitch to arrest the descent. Overcorrecting for a high descent rate will cause the aircraft to balloon.

NOTAMs 52

NOTAMs Runway Approach Descent 52

Pilot Institute

MARCH 29, 2024

The stall warning horn sounds at least 5 knots above the actual stall speed. Since you need to fly without triggering the warning, select a target airspeed of about 2 to 5 knots more. Your target airspeed should be 5 knots above the speed that triggers the stall warning horn. Turbulent air will require a larger airspeed margin.

Lift 52

Lift Rudder Drag AGL 52

Chess In the Air

JUNE 24, 2022

This is consistent with Rick’s report, which referenced 9 knots of wind. Under normal circumstances Shmulik would have had sufficient altitude to delay the landing by several minutes: his glider’s minimum descent rate in still air was just 100 fpm. I was doing about 80 knots and all of a sudden I hit this tremendous sink.

Pilot 52

Pilot AGL Wind Shear Runway 52

Air Facts

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024

An incomplete summary description of FASF is whether the airplane made it out of ground effect. This descent used the same technique that (would have) had value in many of the NTSB accidents involving engine failure after takeoff. That phenomenon is best named Failure to Achieve Sustained Flight (FASF). No math required.

General Aviation 98

General Aviation Pilot Approach Airplanes 98

Plane and Pilot

OCTOBER 3, 2024

We routinely taxi at 1200 rpm due to the low spray…[we] can cruise at 10 knots” in displacement mode, something a Goose can’t do. Early on a speed restriction of 130 knots was applied as a flutter issue. This was resolved on the kit version and led to cruising at 50% power and 120 knots, which proved to be the Gweduck’s sweet spot.

Airplanes 72

Airplanes Rudder Knot Aileron 72