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Old 13th January 2002 | 15:05
  #6 (permalink)  
Wee Weasley Welshman
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Joined: Feb 2000
: ATPL
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From: England
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That FSB on constant angle WAS very well written - wonder is there is an online versiom...

Having taught both techniques I can atest that they have their respective pros and cons. Contant angle is easier for the average Bloggs to gethis head around initially. However the RAF type High Low key is much better for forcing sound planning for typical altitudes of say 4,000ft. With constant angle the student often finds it difficult to get the initial entry gate right and if you don't do that then the whole thing never works properly.

Having mastered both I tend now to think of HighLow key points if I am PFL'ing from 4,000ft+ and constant angle below that.

I would also say to people about PFL's - take heart, they aren't easy. Despite having practiced them for over a decade now in a hangar full of different GA types, having taught the procedure the RAF way, the PPL way and the Approved CPL way, after sitting in on thousands of PFL's and briefing the whole thing more times than I care to remember - I still cock them up from time to time.

It is also an exercise which even if you've done OK and would have walked away there is nearly ALWAYS a couple of criticisms/comments which your instructor will point out. Which makes students often feel they are only just coping with the procedure. Remember that the sole aim is to WALK AWAY from the crash site. Sod the aircraft, even a perfect PFL onto an unprepared field will result in a bent prop and collapsed nosewheel on most common trainers...

Cheers,

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