Slow flight – starts into the wind with zero ground speed. Then makes a 360 degree turn with ground speed increasing to 100 knots and then back to zero.
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Calm wind = perfect day to fly?
Reflection on yesterday
Yesterday it hurt to watch planes land while I was patiently waiting my turn at the hold short line. It was a reminder of why it is good not to have an office with a window when you are the chief flight instructor.
It was a day with light and variable or calm winds all day long. It seemed like a perfect day to fly with nothing to be concerned about on landing. After all, there was no crosswind or gust, so no problem, right? Wrong.
In general calm surface winds cause pilots to come in high and fast. The pilot normally has a headwind component on final, now that is gone, and the groundspeed is higher resulting in a diminished angle of descent. As the pilot flares halfway down the runway and gets impatient as the plane continues to float, the pilot may attempt what is impossible – try to make the plane land while it is still well above stall speed. The plane cannot be forced to land and will porpoise – a very dangerous situation that requires immediate corrective action. See details on page 8-31 in the Airplane Flying Handbook http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/media/faa-h-8083-3a-4of7.pdf
Pilots came in high and fast all day long yesterday. The diminished angle of descent tempted pilots into pitching down "diving for the runway". That may have gotten them to their target spot, but now excess speed caused extremely long floats. In late afternoon it became more of a problem as the winds aloft changed before the surface winds. The surface winds were still in favor of 33R, but the winds aloft had changed. The surface winds eventually changed nearly 180 degrees at 2:45pm – see METAR history below.
There was a warning of this immanent change – for a long period prior to the surface wind change I noticed a significant tailwind component on final resulting in an even lower angle of descent to the runway with normal pitch/power. I saw a lot of "diving for the runway", long floats, and even a little porpoising. No airplane damage thankfully, but probably damaged pilot egos if there were passengers riding along.
So, with calm winds plan on using a lower power setting as you get abeam your touchdown point on downwind, and/or extend your downwind, and/or lower flaps sooner, or GO AROUND AND TRY AGAIN WITH ANY OF THE ABOVE – DON’T PORPOISE! For fun hang out at the airport when the wind is calm and you can learn a lot, but I’ll try to avoid the show.
KMWC 042245Z 11006KT 10SM SCT120 07/M05 A2999
KMWC 042145Z 11007KT 10SM SCT120 08/M04 A3001
KMWC 042045Z 13007KT 10SM BKN110 09/M04 A3003
KMWC 041945Z 11005KT 10SM CLR 11/M03 A3003
KMWC 041845Z 33005KT 10SM CLR 11/M03 A3004
KMWC 041745Z 36003KT 10SM CLR 09/M03 A3006
KMWC 041659Z 31007KT 10SM CLR 09/M04 A3008
KMWC 041545Z 35010KT 10SM CLR 08/M04 A3006
KMWC 041445Z 32007KT 10SM CLR 07/M02 A3006
KMWC 041355Z 32006KT 10SM CLR 04/M03 A3006
KMWC 041245Z 28005KT 10SM CLR 02/M02 A3005
KMWC 041145Z 00000KT 10SM CLR 00
Craig Russell LARSON, Master CFI
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Craig Russell LARSON, Master CFI ( Initial: 9Feb07 )
New Berlin WI
E-mail: Craig@FlyMilwaukee.com
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Craig Larson, the chief flight instructor at Gran-Aire and a resident of New Berlin, WI. Recently, Craig was accredited as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) by NAFI, his professional aviation education organization.
Phone: 303-485-8136
Vice President, Dir of Education
Nat’l Association of Flight Instructors
www.NAFIMasters.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Craig Russell LARSON, Master CFI ( Initial: 9Feb07 )
New Berlin WI
E-mail: Craig@FlyMilwaukee.com
Craig Larson recently earned his Master CFI accreditation. Craig is the chief flight instructor with Gran-Aire located at Milwaukee’s Timmerman Airport (MWC). He mentors new flight instructors, serves at career fairs and is known locally for organizing frequent "fly-out" events for pilots of all abilitiies.
(Photo attachment: MCFI Craig Larson of New Berlin, WI)_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) takes pride in announcing a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of Craig Larson, the chief flight instructor at Gran-Aire and a resident of New Berlin, WI. Recently, Craig was accredited as a Master CFI (Certificated Flight Instructor) by NAFI, his professional aviation education organization.
To help put these achievements in their proper perspective, there are approximately 90,000 CFIs in the United States. Fewer than 500 of them have achieved that distinction thus far. The last eleven national Flight Instructors of the Year were Master CFIs while Craig is one of only 10 Wisconsin aviation educators who has earned this prestigious "Master" title. In the words of FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, "The flight instructor is where the rubber meets the runway. The Master Instructor accreditation singles out the best that the right seat has to offer."
The Master Instructor designation is a national accreditation recognized by the FAA that is earned by candidates through a rigorous process of continuing professional activity and peer review. Much like a flight instructor’s certificate, it must be renewed biennially. This process parallels the continuing education regimen used by other professionals to enhance their knowledge base while increasing their professionalism. Simply put, the Master Instructor designation is a means by which to identify those outstanding aviation educators, those "Teachers of Flight," who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence, professional growth, and service to the aviation community.
Earning this designation is tantamount to having the words summa cum laude emblazoned on an instructor’s certificate. These Masters truly represent the crème de la crème of our industry! To publicly recognize these individuals and their noteworthy accomplishments, NAFI will be hosting its "Meet the Masters" breakfasts, to which Craig will be invited, during EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh and Sun ‘n Fun in Lakeland. Any support that can be provided will be appreciated.
NAFI is dedicated to providing support and recognition for America’s aviation educators while helping them raise and maintain their level of professionalism. It is also committed to providing a safe and effective learning environment for student pilots. The Association was founded in 1967 and affiliated with EAA in 1995.
Please feel free to disseminate this information. Questions regarding the Master Instructor program may be directed to 303-485-8136 or NAFIMasters@aol.com Additional information is available at http://www.NAFIMasters.org/ and
www.NAFInet.org G Alexander "Sandy" Hill, MCFIPhone: 303-485-8136
Vice President, Dir of Education
Nat’l Association of Flight Instructors
www.NAFIMasters.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
