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Old 1st August 2004 | 18:29
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bar shaker
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 616
Likes: 0
From: Essex, UK
Genghis

I practise regularly and think your procedure is pretty similar to mine. My only difference is that my machine rapidly runs out of energy so I don't fly a constant approach. I leave a bit of height in reserve just in case the wind gradient is less than expected.

Field size, surface and shape is also more important to me than being perfectly into wind.

I also go down very low as I think the last bit is the most important bit. I have thought I was in nicely at 400ft only to be short in a wind that was strong down to the deck.

I had major carb ice on take off, a few weeks ago. My only option, from 150ft was a field at 90deg to my path. The engine didn't actually stop but for some time sounded like it was just about to. Either that, or the fierce vibration and spluttering meant it would fall off. I was glad for regular practise and even though the engine ate the ice and recovered, the whole thing wasn't really a worry.

PFLs, down to the deck, are something we should all do regularly. Interestingly the latest height minima regs are designed to allow this.
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