Turnbacks
Now before anybody gets worked up, I'm not advocating this manoeuvre, just discussing it.
Flying with a friend last night in a PA28-161 he introduced me to an interesting exercise. Setting up a simulated initial climb-out at a safe height for stall/spin recovery (we used 4,000 ft) - in my case this was 65 KIAS, full power, 25° flaps setting initial heading on the DI bug, we tried simulating an engine failure and turning onto the reciprocal, excercise being completed with Full flaps being selected as I rolled out on the reciprocal heading.
I did this a few times, and unsurprisingly my best result (a 250ft height loss) was nibbling the stall warner at 73 KIAS best glide speed all the way around a 45° banked turn. Every other time, including attempts to repeat that result I used up 400 ft.
It hasn't done a great deal to change my view on turnbacks - still think they're difficult and dangerous but, if say I was taking off straight over water or forest, it indicates to me that above 600ft it would be an option (in this type), although not below.
Thoughts anybody?
G