quote:
" The concept of continuing on for a downwind touchdown is one that I've not considered before this discussion: I'll certainly give it some thought, but I'm not sure that I'd be happy to risk an aircraft on a training sortie..."
Heli, I assume you refer to my post about practising advanced maneuvers...
Certainly you would not practise (and risk the aircraft) with a actual downwind run-on auto!
BUT you can practise with a faster than usual (look for about 30 kts IAS, just before you touch - you will be slower actually touching, ....in the aircraft I have at this time - AS350B3) into the wind running on auto.
It is not so much the actual speed on touch down, but the correct attitude - IF you can manage: slightest hint of nose (skid front) low, plenty of RRPM (keeps you in control of the tail), I would not worry to much about the actual speed, but on keeping it straight after touch down....
AGAIN: I am not promoting general take-offs or autos downwind!!
In very isolated cases though the situation may prefer a downwind take-off.
There is absolutely no question, that you will turn into the wind in an auto - if you can!!
helicfii:
We may face a similar decision making dilemma.
I am having a hard time getting my point understood. I wish I could demo the case in reality, on site, with the prevailing conditions.
NOT the downwind auto, but the minimum exposed time, weighing off - into the wind versus downwind...
Your case may be somewhat easier as I assume you have a twin and fly it accordingly.
In your case it would also depend on, what is immediately after the powerlines (....for me). If you have any failure on top of or before the powerlines - what are you options?
Loosing a donk downwind on the taxiway, what are your options? Are you still flying away on the other engine?
You loose your one engine (in a single) before the lines or on top ? Where'd you go?
You think you can run the aircraft on as a gyroplane downwind?
As I said, if one even considers a downwind operation, it will always depend on the specific situation - I would not ever dream of generalizing anything downwind!!
Fly safe!
3top
PS: Volunteering for one of those all-out 50 ft/130kts sorties in a Gazelle!
.....any direction!