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Old 28th Oct 2010, 22:43
  #52 (permalink)  
Pilot DAR
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Ontario, Canada
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Quote:
I seem to recall that you can steer a C150 by opening and closing the doors
Well, it's in the book for steering a floatplane when going backwards on the water, but I've not heard it recommended as a standard technique for steering whilst in the air.
Well... Yes. I had weighed the plusses and minusses of presenting that whole concept, as it has no real use in flight, other than as a learning exercise in aerodynamics. There is some potential for damaging a door, and I would rather not take responsibility for that.

That having been said, as I happen to own a C-150 door, which is convenienly attached to an airworthy C-150, I can attest that gently opening the left door about 6 inches, at cruise speed, will cause the airplane to gently bank to the right. Readers are welcome to postulate as to why right rather than left, without overstressing another C-150 door, (or instructor).

As for on the water, yes, but again, very limited use. It's one of those things where if you really need to do it, things are probably beyond the point where it will help anyway....
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