Piper Tri-Pacer, source: creative commons
"Whether you are inspired to learn how to fly or a seasoned pilot looking for the best way to stay in the game we are here to help. We give sport aviation pilots FREE weekly articles, podcast and videos on topics to keep you learning, growing and
staying engaged in the aviation community." ~ TC FREEMAN
to the FREE blog and receive,
"5 Ways to Save Money on Flight Training"
ebooklet consisting of excerpts from,
"How to Save Money On Flight Training" ebook. ********************************************************
WingsOfun.com BLOG #69: December 9, 2014
WELCOME PILOTS
I've just received the new book cover for, “How to Save Money on Flight Training” and am pleasantly surprised. There seems to be continued interest in the media about learning to fly in the most efficient, cost effective manner. One important addition to the book was the tagline, “Overcoming the 80% drop-out rate while saving big bucks on learning to fly.” The drop-out rate is probably the greatest obstacle that the flight training industry faces today. However, with adversity I see great potential to re-invent flight training for the sake of the customer and the longevity of the flight training industry. I challenge you all to join me in helping future pilots make the dream of flight a reality.
“Keeping the fun in flying!"
tom@wingsofun.com
tom@wingsofun.com
*I wanted to give a quick shout-out to Don Piasecki for the PC-12 NTSB final investigation report information.
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NEW PRESENTATION
“PILOT AND AIRCRAFT PERFORMANCE"
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Your opportunity to continue the dialog is on Facebook:
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WingsOfun Podcast #006: TC FREEMAN Discusses the
Final NTSB Report of Florida PC-12 Crash .
Final NTSB Report of Florida PC-12 Crash .
Listen via computer or download at:
*Feel free to link our podcast and videos to your website or use at an upcoming safety seminar.
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Need a Speaker for your Next Event? We Can Help. See the Article;
How to Afford a Speaker for Your Group
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COMPLETE CONTROL FAILURE
COMPLETE CONTROL FAILURE
By TC FREEMAN
I was on downwind on an instructional flight with a student. From the instructor’s perspective things were going well; which means not a lot of prompting for the landing. Calls were made to Unicom, power reduced for descent, and approach checklist initiated. I was proud of my client’s progress and felt comfortable enough to fold my arms and not be there right at the controls anticipating the need to take over at a moment’s notice. We entered the 45 to the downwind and my client pressed the push-to-talk switch, “Bright Leaf Unicom N555AB downwind Runway 5 full stop, Bright Leaf Unicom.”
My client proceeded to click off a couple more items on the“before landing checklist” when he looked at me with eyes wide open, white as a sheet and said, “The controls won't move.” Always known for being able to state the obvious I said, “What do you mean the controls won't move, are you sure?” The client responded, “If I force the control stick much more I'm afraid it will bend or worse, break.” I asked to take control to verify. Sure enough, the control stick was frozen solid.
At this point we were well into the downwind leg of the traffic pattern and I was troubleshooting, wondering what on earth could have caused a total loss of aileron and elevator control. The second thought was coming up with a game plan on getting us both on the ground in our respective one piece. To our advantage, we still had throttle and elevator trim for pitch and rudder for bank (or turning). We also were fortunate to have a very long runway to which we could make a long approach, and hopefully not a life-ending final approach. The game plan was to keep bank angles to a minimum since pitch corrections required more intense coordination.
Now on an extended downwind, I was still wondering about the controls and looked at the ailerons just to make sure something wasn't binding. In my mind, I was imagining the push-pull tube routing. Aileron push-pull tubes go from the underside of the control stick to the baggage area where they proceed vertically to tubes that go out to the wings. As a matter of fact, a pilot can actually see the tubes actuate by turning around in the seat to see the vertical tubes and looking straight up to see the wing connection. I asked the client to take control of the aircraft while I looked at the push-pull tubes. The tube came up through the baggage area directly behind the left seat, giving a good vantage point to see the control system. Apparently, the seat was adjusted so far back that it pushed on the push-pull tube ultimately keeping it from moving. After asking the client to move his seat forward the controls freed up immediately.
After a normal landing, the client was still shaken and said, “If you were not there I don't know if I would have figured out the problem and would have been forced to make a landing with limited controls.” The good news was that I was there to assist. In reality, much of dealing with emergency issues boils down to training and experience. This situation gave me a great opportunity to make a major impact on this client’s training. In just a few flight lessons later he was able to handle a no aileron and elevator approach like a pro.
About the author:TC Freeman has been flying since he was a teenager and is now an aviation speaker and author. Being employed as an Aviation Safety Specialist for state government, he has a passion for spreading the thrill of flying just for the fun of it via the website, www.WingsOfun.com.
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“We are excited to donate this segment of the WingsOfun BLOG to this great
program that promotes; airport visitation, education and tourism.”
program that promotes; airport visitation, education and tourism.”
~TC FREEMAN
The Wilson Industrial Airport (W03) stamp is not available and a new one will be
on order soon. Feel free to have customer service personel sign your booklet.
Discuss OP: Fly NC with fellow pilots at:
on order soon. Feel free to have customer service personel sign your booklet.
Discuss OP: Fly NC with fellow pilots at:
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Upcoming Events: Good for OP: FLY NC stamp/signature, most posted to: www.SocialFlight.com.
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IMPORTANT AUDIO PRESENTATION AVAILABLE:
“OPERATIONS AT NON-TOWERED AIRPORTS”
… for pilots flying just for the fun of it.
… for pilots flying just for the fun of it.
In this audio book TC Freeman discusses; straight in approaches, dealing
with aircraft on extended downwind and traffic pattern entries.
with aircraft on extended downwind and traffic pattern entries.
Available at: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/tcfreeman
(Run time: 34 minutes)
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NEWS FROM THE WEB
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that matter to you at: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
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A Pilot's worst nightmare, landing without primary controls
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Questions? Contact: tom@wingsofun.com
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Articles*Aviation Presentations (live)*Videos*eBooks*Special Event Announcements*Operation: Fly NC program
Questions? Contact: tom@wingsofun.com
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