A few Questions

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sierrasplitter

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Sep 18, 2018
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I'm getting better ! Still on the big runway (28R) but yesterday was a first. Was able to exit taxiway Charlie instead of chewing up all the runway down to taxiway Mike. !!
What speed do you approach final with if the wind is calm? I was taught 85 on approach which I thought was way too fast, so now I'm by myself I like to come in at 75 (mph) and slow to 70 before the wheels hit. I think this is still a bit too fast.

Where do you mount your ipad if you use one ? I use an ipad mini and really don't like any of the mounting areas I can find . Not a big fan of using it on my knee but so far that's the only way it wont obstruct any views

Getting close to leaving the airport and roaming around a bit.

I have a million more questions too
 
That thing has a 430 - sure you can’t use that as an iPad surrogate?
85 is indeed way too fast. Go out and practice slow flight at a safe altitude; add ten miles per hour to whatever your slowest level flight turns out to be.
 
85 Seems smoking hot.

I use 80 through base to final if I'm trying to stay out of everyone's way. Otherwise 70 on base, short final at 60 (65 for a wheel landing and trying to get that to 60 also).

Not sure what use there is for a tablet in the pattern. I do run a clamp + Ram mount on the right "A pillar" tube for cross country using my phone.

Agree that if I had a 430 the phone would stay in my pocket
 
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Yea, 85 is cruise speed for me, I like to get it to around 55 or, if I'm high, pull it back to about 50 and it comes down like a wall safe. This is just something you will eventually get comfortable with, do lots of slow flight practice and learn how it behaves.

 
I will be using the 430, but want my mini ipad too. just like using it with the Century and foreflight for better traffic insight. Of course that after I leave the pattern.....just planning. I have dropped my speeds down to 75 on base and 65 by touchdown. Its working out well.
I cant remember what speed we were touching down at during training but I do remember 85 on base.
I went down last night and got moved to 28 left by the tower on my first takeoff.
I was a bit concerned going from 150 feet wide to 60 feet but it was fine. Not much wind though, I had hoped for some crosswind practice but it died down about the time I rolled out
I did see you and your Cub Bob. I love watching that plane. looks like its just hanging in the air

Slow Flight, stalls......I do need to go out and practice again . Its been a few months and only did a couple . Should I take an instructor ?

Oh well..............................progressing
 
I went from an iPad to an iPad mini but there is still no elegant place to put it other than strapped to my left knee. For navigation I primarily still use the Garmin 296 on the panel that I intend to replace with an Aera 660. That will put nav, weather and traffic all in one spot. The iPad can then reside in the side pocket and be used for preflight planning and supplemental enroute info, it’s just too cumbersome for inflight navigation use in the cockpit.
 
My iPad Mini is on a RAM roller-mount, with a short connector to their "clamp" mount (looks like a lobster claw). Fits and holds very securely around the tubing just to the left of the panel, and holds the iPad where it only covers a tiny corner of the windscreen, with only the OAT gauge obscured. (But I can still see it if I lean way forward, or just move the iPad a bit. And how often do you need to know the OAT precisely?) Highly secure, and highly visible/accessible. Mine is adjusted so that the glare on the screen is minimal, and I use a 6-foot cable to plug it into the 12-volt power adapter on the far right of my panel. So far, no issues with heat shutdowns, even flying during the 105ºF summer days around Dallas...
 
I used a RAM mount high on the left tube that goes up to the top of the windshield - for one flight. It did not interfere with my view, even upside down, but I found it useless. I have a really good mount for the 295, and it is so good we were doing ILS the other day with the FAA facility shut down. I even shut the air off and shoot approaches with only airspeed, altimeter, and engine gauges (VFR with a check pilot).
 
By the way splitter, if Glenn doesn't want to do the stall series, I have a pretty good program, including full power stalls.
 
Any stick and rudder airplane I wear a knee board on my left leg (with pen and paper, not iPad). I mention this because flying left seat with a yoke it was on my right and then I found it being annoying with a stick with my arm rubbing it. So, not sure why you don’t like it but it’s worth a try on the other knee!

My iPad placement depends on my mission, I always have it but it’s mostly locked and in the pocket. If I use it for airport info, ill get what I need and put it back on the floor secured, or in the pocket.

I took the picture before I tore mine apart for the rebuild but I bought the ram mounts to secure it. It could come loose but would not be able to fall. I like it here cause it’s in sight to the back and front seat, up and out of the way completely so it’s not in your normal sight picture, and I think it looks cool haha

The suction cup ram mounts are also awesome! When put on right they aren’t going anywhere!
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To be clear... My 7ECA is minimally equipped (no aviation GPS, and even the single Nav/Com is a bit flaky), so ForeFlight on the iPad is my navigation tool. My iPad is mounted considerably lower than the photo above shows, so that it doesn't really affect forward visibility much at all. And an iPhone (also with FF) on the other side is my backup.
 
I'm getting a bit better but still don't like my three points Keep bouncing a few every now and then. I'm just not getting the "three point attitude" seared into my head. I have been taking a gopro to record. Ok to post up some landing videos for community review ?
Should I put them here or the video section ?
 
I think I see your problem. Taildraggers are not flown in a "drag it in" mode. It is really difficult to get a decent landing by bringing it in low and under power. Stay high until you can bring the throttle all the way to idle for the last 600 or so feet. The sight picture will improve. Then, do not let the mains touch until the tailwheel is solidly on the ground. In the Champ that happens simultaneously. (Do not try that in a Decathlon - you must do a 3-point wheel landing in the Dec)
 
I agree with bob, dragging it in sets you up for a bad landing every time. My approach’s are basically power off 180’s every single time. It provides a good approach and also keeps you close to the airfield for that one time your engine does quit.

Hard to tell from the video but it does seem like the airplane touched down before it was ready to land. Doing a true “full stall” makes it beautiful. The other side of it is what bob said with having that high descent rate you fall out of the sky and bounce even if your airspeed is low. Adding a little burst of power to stop such a high descent rate will help to salvage the approach and let you fly in ground effect until you touch down.

Nice job keeping the centerline though!

Another side note, in all my flying I stay high to have a nice approach. You can always slip it in but once you start dragging it in, you’re in trouble!
 
Thanks Gentlemen. I know I have been dragging it in. Went out Sunday and corrected that and also started pulling further back on the stick. All went very well.
Even put my Big Boy pants on and went over to KSEE and did some touch and go's then flew up the valley I live in and down the canyon to El Cap Reservoir.
 
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