Sun and strobe effect.

[mossie]

Learning.....

Evening landing, 27 into a wonderful but low sun, no problem with it on the approach, never even squinted - sunglasses doing a great job.

Over the threshold, pull throttle, prop slows and creates a strobe effect with the sun... Get spooked by that, loose concentration, bounce, burst of throttle to get her flying properly again and have another go this time looking out the side rather that through the prop. All teeth intact and aircraft and passenger ok (taildragger if it matters).


Although I knew the sun was low - I never gave it a thought about what might happen, but the effect of the sunlight flashing as the 2 blade prop chopped it up was unnerving. Also showed how, essentially at the most crucial part of the whole (wonderful and 3rd) flight of the day, I stopped flying the plane.

As it was very low wind I could have used an out of sun runway...

One more in the experience book for me....

[ROG]

When i joined our group this was a problem due mainly to a crazed screen. I managed to get new screens fitted--amazing difference--suggest have a look at screens-possibly major contributory factor.

[mossie]

Hi ROG,

RV-4 - lovingly cared for bubble canopy.....so in nice nick thanks...

[gfry]

I think this is just a case of **** happens, nothing you could have done about it. But now you have 20/20 hindsight you are probably better prepared.

[Irv Lee]

I think this is just a case of *** happens, nothing you could have done about it.

versus

As it was very low wind I could have used an out of sun runway...

I know you said you could see until the strobe, but two events where the pilot couldn't see due to low sun, strobe or not, but landed anyway come to mind - one was a cessna nosewheel lost on a 26 runway into sun, (visiting) pilot "excuse" afterwards to the group was 'well I couldn't see a thing so hit the nosewheel'.... and another who did exactly the same thing (different airfield, different day), couldn't see a thing due to sun, so looked sideways and identified the runway edge markers and landed parallel to them - unfortunately what he thought was the left side of the runway was the right side of the runway, and he landed in the rough on the right of the runway, again removing the front wheel. Just think if there'd been a taxiway that side with an aircraft waiting...? Again, 'well I couldn't see'...

[mossie]

As home is Staverton any evening/late afternoon flight with the prevailing wind is going to have me pointing west, so - just something i'm going to be wary of in future !

[mossie]

As home is Staverton any evening/late afternoon flight with the prevailing wind is going to have me pointing west, so - just something i'm going to be wary of in future !

[mossie]

As home is Staverton any evening/late afternoon flight with the prevailing wind is going to have me pointing west, so - just something i'm going to be wary of in future !

[KNT754G]

Terrible echo you got there Mossie

[mossie]

So it seems ! How does that happen ?

[KNT754G]

Happens if you click submit then, because nothing seems to be happening, click it again.

[Charles Hunt]

DTs