REFLECTOR: Overhead approaches

[Mark Magee]

Richard,
You have some valid points, in the Navy we were in turbines and t-props: no
shock cooling. On my Long EZ I would drop the speed brake at 90 KTS which
disrupted the airflow to my P-51 scoop. As well I didn't chop power on the
break in the Long EZ like a T34C, but brought it back gradually well before
the break and as I started the corkscrew down. This can save a cylinder
head if done right.
If you can avoid shock cooling, which is a serious concern, then I would
still consider the OH valid for the Velocity. If you begin a gradual
pulling of power -in advance- of the break, maybe 6 to 10 seconds before
the break, your not as flashy as in a P-51 or T6 Texan 2 chopping power
directly overhead, but can avoid the shock cooling and still corkscrew down
with plenty of speed.


Mark

On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 9:06 PM, Richard J. Gentil <
richard at naples-air-center.com> wrote:

> Geoff,
>
> Personally I like the long approach to the airport gradually reducing the
> power to cool the engine.
>
> The OHA approach is carrying cruise power or better then going to flight
> idle to a landing.
>
> While it might be a fun maneuver, probably not be best for your engine and
> the people on the ground will probably label you as Geoff "Hotdog"
> Gerhardt.
>
> I figure you can get away with it in an RG a lot easier then in an FG
> since you have so much more drag with the gear down and locked.
>
> Just my $0.02
>
> Richard
>
> Sent from my iPhone 4 Classic
>
> On Sep 17, 2012, at 9:36 PM, Geoff Gerhardt <geoff.gerhardt at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> Guys,
>
> I'm sure you guys have seen this video of a Cirrus doing an overhead
> approach.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFdH4zvO9Oo
>
> Looks like a cool way to get into the pattern.  I can't tell you what a
> smile it puts on my face descend in at 160kts then pull up and drop speed
> to enter the pattern after so many years of crawling into the airport
> airspace in C172/PA28's.  I'd love to be able to do an overhead approach.
>  What got me thinking about them was this weekend, there was a warbird show
> on at our airport (KORH) and as I was approaching the airport, I heard one
> of them call the tower for a overhead approach and listened to him call his
> initial, break point then cleared to land - very cool.  Also, I like the
> idea of coming into the airport with all possible kinetic and potential
> energy at your disposal in case an engine issue.  Long, slow, level entries
> into airport airspace always make me nervous.
>
> A couple questions for those more seasoned pilots on overhead approaches:
> 1) Is it considered douchey to do an OHA at a non-towered airport
> (assuming you properly announce)?
> 2) Can you only approach the airport on the runway heading, or can you
> come in from any angle, break and establish a high-bank turn until your
> able to enter the downwind?
> 3) Do any of you regularly use OHA's?
> 4) Do you usually come in at pattern altitude +500'?
>
> Geoff
>
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