Tue Aug 26, 2008 12:12 pm
#647228
In the parachute thread in the main room, there's mention of flying Beagley Pups with the doors open. I had managed to last ten years of Pup flying before having the port door come open last night, about five minutes into a flight, when I was level at 1400 feet.
The Pup book, which, like the doors themselves, may be a triumph of the marketing department, says that the door opening in flight is no big deal, and that is broadly true, but it does lead to a somewhat sporty few minutes, and is rather more dramatic in impression than the book suggests. The aircraft needs a lot of nose up trim, and lots and lots of power to hold it level. The noise and general pandemonium is impressive and using the radio would probably be difficult (I was monitoring Norwich Radar but not talking to them).
I knew that there was a private airfield very close by (I was west abeam Fakenham) and knew the runway layout, so lowered a stage of flap and positioned for a long left turn to approach the into wind runway. The aircraft felt like quite a handful until I decelerated to 65 knots, and the landing was pretty normal. I probably flew for three to five minutes with the wind blowing up my nose.
This was an interesting experience, and one that I am strangely glad to have had, but it could have been very unsettling for a solo student or someone new to the aeroplane or to flying in general. It rather spolied my pleasant evening flight back to North Weald, as after the unscheduled stop I had to firewall the machine in order to beat the headwind and land just as the airfield was closing for the night.
Lastly, if there was anyone at Little Snoring at 1805 local last night, my apologies for my unheralded arrival (and equally rapid departure - I secured the door, backtracked and launched). I shall write to the flying group with a contribution to the grass mowing fund.
The Pup book, which, like the doors themselves, may be a triumph of the marketing department, says that the door opening in flight is no big deal, and that is broadly true, but it does lead to a somewhat sporty few minutes, and is rather more dramatic in impression than the book suggests. The aircraft needs a lot of nose up trim, and lots and lots of power to hold it level. The noise and general pandemonium is impressive and using the radio would probably be difficult (I was monitoring Norwich Radar but not talking to them).
I knew that there was a private airfield very close by (I was west abeam Fakenham) and knew the runway layout, so lowered a stage of flap and positioned for a long left turn to approach the into wind runway. The aircraft felt like quite a handful until I decelerated to 65 knots, and the landing was pretty normal. I probably flew for three to five minutes with the wind blowing up my nose.
This was an interesting experience, and one that I am strangely glad to have had, but it could have been very unsettling for a solo student or someone new to the aeroplane or to flying in general. It rather spolied my pleasant evening flight back to North Weald, as after the unscheduled stop I had to firewall the machine in order to beat the headwind and land just as the airfield was closing for the night.
Lastly, if there was anyone at Little Snoring at 1805 local last night, my apologies for my unheralded arrival (and equally rapid departure - I secured the door, backtracked and launched). I shall write to the flying group with a contribution to the grass mowing fund.