PDA

View Full Version : Spin recovery / runway drift / braking


Permafrost_ATPL
6th Mar 2006, 16:00
Hi all,
Have a few questions that I am told have been asked recently by an interviewer I am about to face (first FO job). Help much appreciated!
1) What is the correct recovery for getting a 737 our of a spin? Does it apply to most commercial jets? Is it the same as piston singles? Or would you rip the rudder off?
2) If the RW is known to be slippery and you start drifting on the landing roll, do you just use rudder to correct? Brakes? Differential thrust?
3) What is the most effective way to brake on landing? My answer would be thrust reversers at first, then brakes become more effective as you slow down.
Thank you!!!
P

rhovsquared
6th Mar 2006, 16:18
Since a spin is low airspeed manoeuver recovery therefore rudder should be just fine, in most jets spin recovery is ALMOST the same as piston except you don't reduce power because of the attendant trim changes etc confounding everything...1. center ailerons 2. opposite rudder against the turn HSI/ RMI. 3. yoke forward to gain airspeed. 4. Carefully, pullout subsequent dive; so it's ARE vs PARE. For a spiral dive level roll attitude on ailerons only the carefully pull from the dive again, leave power alone, reducing power in this case can lower the nose...not good!

Permafrost_ATPL
6th Mar 2006, 16:39
Thank you! Any takers for 2) and 3) ?

Cheers

P

Empty Cruise
6th Mar 2006, 16:42
rhovsqared,

interwiev appers to centering on 73' - now, why wouldn't you reduce thrust? Afaik, that induces a pitch-down-moment???

Now, if you talked about not reducing thrust on the in-spin engine I might understand... ;)

Empty:}

Edited to add my 2 kroners worth on 2 (rudder & cancel reverse thrust if any being used!) and 3 (spot on in my book...) :\

rhovsquared
6th Mar 2006, 17:26
If I were spinning a jet in IMC I would probably be confused enough:eek:

Permafrost_ATPL
6th Mar 2006, 18:54
Thanks Empty Cruise.

After Googling for a while, it looks like differential braking should be used if rudder does not do the trick if you're starting to skid away from the centerline (makes sense at lower speeds). Definitely not tiller though!

And as for braking/reverse thrust, I found a Flight Safety study that shows that thrust reversers decrease braking distance by about 15%. Not as much as I thought. I guess the majority of that 15% is in the first few seconds after touchdown.

P

AirRabbit
7th Mar 2006, 00:05
Hi all,
2) If the RW is known to be slippery and you start drifting on the landing roll, do you just use rudder to correct? Brakes? Differential thrust?
3) What is the most effective way to brake on landing? My answer would be thrust reversers at first, then brakes become more effective as you slow down.
While I have an opinion on your question #1, I'll avoid getting too deep into that at the moment. However, I can say that the very LAST thing a pilot can do to attempt to control a "drift" toward the edge on a slippery runway is to use reverse thrust -- symmetrical OR asymmetrical. Reverse is your very best way to get the aircraft off into the dirt or mud or whatever borders the runway. If using reverse and you recognize a drift starting, immediately go to idle reverse thrust to see if that aids the problem -- if not, immediately go to idle forward thrust. (If you doubt that, simply plot the thrust vectors and verify for yourself that any reverse thrust not directed in parallel with the runway centerline will be pulling you toward the edge.) Any speed above about 60 - 70 knots is going to provide at least some aerodynamic control, (which should be used in all landings) and rudder pedal steering used below that if available. I agree with one of the earlier posts, not recommending the use of the tiller -- at least until forward speed is down to taxi speed.
Your other question is a bit mirkey ... the "most effective" braking is full brakes, maximum brake pedal deflection, as soon as the wheels are on the ground! Spoilers do help transfer weight to the wheels -- and they provide a modicum of additional form drag. Will you get hot (or warm) brakes doing this? Sure! But that IS the most "effective use" of brakes - changing kinetic energy into heat energy. Reverse thrust does help -- but it is far more effective at the higher airspeeds as has been said here a couple of times. On the other hand, if you're looking for the most cost effective use of the available methods to get the airplane stopped -- that is a different story. Assuming you have sufficient runway, spoilers as soon as you can (I prefer to wait until the airplane is on the ground -- or it will be soon), reverse thrust as soon as you can, and as much as you can - lessening the amount of reverse thrust as the forward speed slows (not doing much good and it avoids compressor stalls), and the judicious use of wheel brakes after reaching something below 100 knots.

Permafrost_ATPL
7th Mar 2006, 18:06
Thanks guys. BTW, I got the job!
:ok:

P

Cabingirl
7th Mar 2006, 18:17
congratulations!!

Speedbird-400
8th Mar 2006, 01:11
And as for braking/reverse thrust, I found a Flight Safety study that shows that thrust reversers decrease braking distance by about 15%. Not as much as I thought. I guess the majority of that 15% is in the first few seconds after touchdown.

P

Someone feel free to correct me if I'm mistaken, I believe one cannot reverse the thrust on a BAe 146? Just goes to prove that one can land with good-old-fashioned spoilers and wheel brakes....