Re: Turn back to the airport - the Impossible Turn
Posted: Tue Feb 13, 2018 4:55 pm
Interesting discussion. Lot's of emotion (understandable, due to the loss of life involved).
As we can all agree, flying is a thinking man's game. As pilots, we recognize that we are subject to the laws of physics, which are then constrained by our own human limitations. As a glider pilot, I know a successful 180 turn back is possible, given the right conditions (physics, pilot). As we test and evaluate our aircraft and ourselves, we can certainly establish our own operational parameters plus hopefully work towards an ever-increasing envelope of capability and precision. This shouldn't be guess work. And, situationally, each pilot will find a different set of answers for themselves as the physics change and their own capabilities change. I believe there is a place for keeping "turning back to the runway" in our aviator's toolbox. Clearly, we shouldn't be employing tools we don't know how to use yet, nor or the other hand, should it be the only tool in our box. But, especially as "experimental aviators" we must keep our mind in the game at all times. Pre-calculation, testing, and practice are they way we create the safest flying environment, that then gives us the optimal freedom to enjoy it. Unplanned, untrained situational responses should be left to when it is the only option available, and then we should still lean hard on our well-developed understanding of the physics and our own capabilities. Will I turn back to the runway if my engine quits? Well, that depends!
As we can all agree, flying is a thinking man's game. As pilots, we recognize that we are subject to the laws of physics, which are then constrained by our own human limitations. As a glider pilot, I know a successful 180 turn back is possible, given the right conditions (physics, pilot). As we test and evaluate our aircraft and ourselves, we can certainly establish our own operational parameters plus hopefully work towards an ever-increasing envelope of capability and precision. This shouldn't be guess work. And, situationally, each pilot will find a different set of answers for themselves as the physics change and their own capabilities change. I believe there is a place for keeping "turning back to the runway" in our aviator's toolbox. Clearly, we shouldn't be employing tools we don't know how to use yet, nor or the other hand, should it be the only tool in our box. But, especially as "experimental aviators" we must keep our mind in the game at all times. Pre-calculation, testing, and practice are they way we create the safest flying environment, that then gives us the optimal freedom to enjoy it. Unplanned, untrained situational responses should be left to when it is the only option available, and then we should still lean hard on our well-developed understanding of the physics and our own capabilities. Will I turn back to the runway if my engine quits? Well, that depends!