May 12 - Forced Approach (Dual Review)
It had been a while since our last flight, so Tatiana and I review forced approaches (ex 22 in the FTM).
One dumb thing I did enroute was to climb (APT) without doing a cockpit check (green/green, carb heat -- cold for climb -- mixture rich) first -- finally I am leaning on my own most of the time without reminders, but then when it comes time to do something, I forget! :-P And then, when it was time to pull out the power to do my first forced, I pulled out the mixture instead! Got a good yelling-at for that one!!!
With forced approaches, in addition to making the field, there is quite a bit of procedure to memorize. Tats chunked it for me into a series of four separate "compartments" of information/procedure, the "outer two" having to do with the engine, the "inner two" having to do with communication. This worked really well for me; even remembered it all the next day!
Immediately upon engine failure, turn carb heat on and set attitude for best glide (60 kts in a Cessna 150) then,
1. ENGINE
- cause check (downwind stuff, basically, and if prop has stopped, try to restart mags)
- warm up the engine (during practise, you push the throttle all the way in, then pull it out again)
2. COMMUNICATE
- Mayday call: Mx3, call sign, emergency type, location for landing, description of plane, # of souls, call, Check out the procedures here: http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf09802.html#s6
3. COMMUNICATE
- passenger briefing: We're going to land in that field due to engine failure, don't worry, I am a trained pilot and have practised this procedure many times. Because we'll be landing in a field, the landing may be a little bumpier than you are used to, so please take off your glasses, and secure any pens, pencils or other sharp objects; you may also want to cover your face with your hands to cushion your head during the landing. Just before we land, unlatch the door, so you can get out more easily
4. ENGINE
- engine warm-up (final one... these should be done approx every 500 ft)
- turn off FOUR things, 2 reds and 2 metals --> mixture idle cut off, fuel off, mags off, master -- if done with flap
Of course during all of this one also needs to remember to actually aviate and navigate, i.e. make the field!
Tatiana pointed out that because one is going to land without power in a forced landing, ie. the power is already gone in the "downwind", the approach slope is steeper (in a regular circuit, you generally don't cut the power until you've made the field, so the slope is gentler). This means you should be higher, "feel" higher, as you are approaching the field. Better too high than too low -- you can always drop the plane out of the sky with flap, slipping, etc.
Flight home was a little bumpy -- windy approach with gusting, and so we landed together.
Solo forced tomorrow, weather permitting.