REFLECTOR: Gear up approach.

Tue Sep 24 08:43:15 CDT 2013

Regarding gear ups.  Has anyone else tried "intentionally" a approach to over the fence with the gear up.  Don't know about your velocities, but I know I am chomping at the bit to get the gear down so I can slow the thing down in the pattern.  Also, the visual approach attitude is quite different too.  In my stable I have a SeaRey that because of it's anfibian attributes has "re-positioning" gear which retracts up to clear the water line, yet don't tuck away.  That along with the thing being a drag queen, it has no different flight characteristics depending on where the gear is.  That is the plane that will probably get me some day (those that have, and those that will).  The velocity talks to much and tells you if the gear aren't down.  You just need to listen.  That being said, I also have a throttle switch, but have never needed it (YET).

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Derrick <scott at tnstaafl.net>
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
Sent: Tue, Sep 24, 2013 9:27 am
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Reflector Digest, Vol 102, Issue 82

I agree, checklists are the key to a safe and uneventful flight.

My Runnup list has a check doors item,
My GUMPS check of course has an Undercarriage item
My Over the fence check again has an undercarriage item.

I don't have a door indicator light.

I do have a throttle position/gear position siren that is unusually 
loud.  I can't tell you how many times I've listened to a gear up 
landing incident recording from the tower with the gear warning clearly 
in the background and just as clearly ignored.

When you loose focus on what you should be doing, aviating, its 
astounding what you can not see or hear. Thats why checklists work.

Scott

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: REFLECTOR: Reflector Digest, Vol 102, Issue 82
From: Kurt Winker <nmflyer1 at aol.com>
To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list <reflector at tvbf.org>
Date: 09/23/2013 08:54 PM

> Or.   One could follow the checklists & remain vigilant. I don't necessarily 
disagree with the point, but people, in general, are taking less & less 
responsibility for their situations.
> Cease abdicating responsibility and do your job as PIC.
>
> Kurt.
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Sep 23, 2013, at 20:49, Tim Rhodenbaugh <timrhod at aol.com> wrote:
>
>> So in all this discussion where are the warning systems to alert pilots of 
open doors or gear still up.  In my XLRG I have a door unlatched warning light 
right in my face.  It paid off well one day when from vibration my door 
mechanism came apart and the pins slid out of their housings. I immediately got 
a warning door open light .  I checked my door and sure enough it was no longer 
latched.  I had to hold it closed with the Handle until I landed.  I have two 
gear up warnings. One is a audible " landing gear" "landing gear" and is  based 
on air speed.  The second warning is a shrill  siren as in so loud you can't 
ignore it and it is based on throttle position.  I know even with these it is 
possible to have something go wrong but a whole lot less likely . Let's design 
into our planes as much safety as we can.   Tim Rhodenbaugh.  N 370TR XLRG
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>>
>> On Sep 23, 2013, at 7:51 PM, John Dibble <aminetech at bluefrog.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Good advice.  And then there are distractions.  In my 1000 hours flying RG, 
I never forgot to lower my gear.....except once.  I was returning to my airport 
at night. The runway lights and beacon were out, but the notam wasn't yet 
issued, so I had no idea.  Using my standard procedure, I set up on a 10 mile 
final using my gps.  The runway lights seemed faint (that's because they were 
the taxiway lights) and that caused me to focus on them.  Yeah, I was flying the 
plane just fine.  When I was about 30' above the "runway", I noticed the white 
markings of the real runway off to my left and realized I was over the taxiway.  
I added power, and climbed.  As I made the turn to go around, that's when I 
realized my gear was up.  Glad I didn't decide to land on the taxiway!  
Fortunately someone was at the airport and I had him position his truck at the 
beginning of the runway with lights on, so I could get lined up with the runway 
and I landed, no problem.
>>>
>>> John
>>>
>>> On 9/23/2013 6:02 PM, Patrick Sieders wrote:
>>>> Not to judge
>>>>
>>>> What Scott wrote is certainly true, and is hammered on in my company flying 
the 'big metal' around. The chain is there to be broken and it will if we will 
remember to always fly the aircraft.
>>>>
>>>> No matter what breaks, your first instinct should always be " Aviate, 
Navigate, Communicate". This is certainly something that is not practiced a lot, 
and you really have to force yourself to take a deep breath sometimes, count to 
10 and then work the problem. But never, EVER forget to fly first !
>>>>
>>>> Oh, and forget about all the electronic wizardry.. fly old style, just 
remember some the the high profile accidents we have had lately... Asiana, Air 
france, Colgan Air..
>>>>
>>>> Something we as a group need to think about and be able to discuss. I hate 
to bring this up in a sensitive time, but it needs to be communicated.
>>>>
>>>> Hope they willbe back home soon and recovering quickly.
>>>> Patrick Sieders
>>>
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-- 
He who has injured thee was either stronger or weaker than thee. If 
weaker, spare him; if stronger, spare thyself.
William Shakespeare
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