S/E Circling To Land: To Retract Or Not To Retract?
I did my initial IR test last week (in an Aztec) and did the usual S/E visual circling approach to land, retracting gear/flaps on the go-around as with normal training practice.
However, varied opinions have been expressed to me by various instructors and examiners about whether, in the "real world", gear and flaps should be retracted at all during the S/E circuit.-
e.g.-
- Always do it because S/E performance is so marginal on a multi-engine piston
- Don't do it on an Aztec because it has the S/E performance to cope with gear and flaps down, especially on a training flight.
- Definitely don't do it in an Aztec because the hydraulic pump is on the #1 engine and if the #1 engine fails, it's time for the hand pump!
- Do it on a situational basis (type, weight, altitude, temperature considerations etc.)
So I was interested to know if the forum had any views on this discussion, and if there was a general consensus on the "right" way to do it.
Regards.