Extending air brake on approach
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Still off topic, but..
All this A1 / A2 QFI stuff that seems irrelevant, and is then mercilessly inflicted on students, turns you into a proper pilot. So that, long after you've left the RAF, you can cope with what the world throws at you. When you find yourself creeping a Cessna 152 over the Greenland icecap IMC, or trying to get a JP airborne from an airfield 6500 ft up in the Rockies, or navigating a yacht across the Atlantic - all that 'crap' about stall margins and double-difference calcs and the ITCZ comes back. It comes back because the 'grumpy old sod' hammered it in, or snuck it in as part of a crazy crewroom story, rather than just telling you. Situations that kill others mean the ex-RAF guy just says "Ah, tricky one this. We just need to...". It means a "stunningly average" RAF pilot like myself looks like a bloody genius to most of the rest of the flying world.
So here's a big thank you to 'grumpy old sod' QFIs, and occasionally going off topic.
p.s. RAF instructors finish their training as B2 rating, or B1 if they're very good. A2 gets awarded for continued progress after some time (1 year min?).
A1 is rare, and means what they don't know isn't worth knowing. Can (I think) only be awarded by another A1. Kind of 'Zen master' stuff in normal speak.
All this A1 / A2 QFI stuff that seems irrelevant, and is then mercilessly inflicted on students, turns you into a proper pilot. So that, long after you've left the RAF, you can cope with what the world throws at you. When you find yourself creeping a Cessna 152 over the Greenland icecap IMC, or trying to get a JP airborne from an airfield 6500 ft up in the Rockies, or navigating a yacht across the Atlantic - all that 'crap' about stall margins and double-difference calcs and the ITCZ comes back. It comes back because the 'grumpy old sod' hammered it in, or snuck it in as part of a crazy crewroom story, rather than just telling you. Situations that kill others mean the ex-RAF guy just says "Ah, tricky one this. We just need to...". It means a "stunningly average" RAF pilot like myself looks like a bloody genius to most of the rest of the flying world.
So here's a big thank you to 'grumpy old sod' QFIs, and occasionally going off topic.
p.s. RAF instructors finish their training as B2 rating, or B1 if they're very good. A2 gets awarded for continued progress after some time (1 year min?).
A1 is rare, and means what they don't know isn't worth knowing. Can (I think) only be awarded by another A1. Kind of 'Zen master' stuff in normal speak.
Last edited by Fox3WheresMyBanana; 28th Jul 2011 at 10:43.
Gentleman Aviator
"What do you know about the Foehn Effect?"
"Errr, hang on, it certainly rings a bell!"
Ba boom
and IIRC (in addition to various instructional hours and time requirements)
A2 = assessed as not less than "above average" in all of:
1. Flying
2. Instructional technique
3. Knowledge of sequence
4. Knowledge of "associated subjects" (= trappers' joker)
and for A1 not less than "exceptional" in all of the above .....
"Errr, hang on, it certainly rings a bell!"
Ba boom
and IIRC (in addition to various instructional hours and time requirements)
A2 = assessed as not less than "above average" in all of:
1. Flying
2. Instructional technique
3. Knowledge of sequence
4. Knowledge of "associated subjects" (= trappers' joker)
and for A1 not less than "exceptional" in all of the above .....
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ah..i see now..i know what QFIs and all that meant..just didn't expect A1/2s to be a rating within the ranks..kinda familiar to think about it..used to be from RSAF and we had that sort of stuff too..
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Video A-4C Circuits S/Bs + TA-4J rear seat ride
Screenshot from chase aircraft video of a recent A-4C warbird first flight showing aircraft 'dirty' with S/Bs out:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...eAug2011ed.jpg
Video:
______________________
Video from rear seat of TA-4J ride, circuit break, base turn & full stop landing showing leading edge slats working along with wing spoiler on touch down:
http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...eAug2011ed.jpg
Video:
Video from rear seat of TA-4J ride, circuit break, base turn & full stop landing showing leading edge slats working along with wing spoiler on touch down:
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RNZAF NAS Nowra A-4K Skyhawk Short Field Arrest Demo
RNZAF NAS Nowra A-4K Skyhawk Short Field Arrest Demo
Note S/B use:
"Uploaded by SpazSinbad2 on Sep 8, 2011
Aircraft probably from No.2 Squadron RNZAF lands further down runway 21 at NAS Nowra (NSW Australia) than usual with hook extended to engage the short field arrest wire (with a much longer pullout than A-4Gs experienced onboard HMAS Melbourne - 1000+ feet compared to 250- feet)."
Note S/B use:
"Uploaded by SpazSinbad2 on Sep 8, 2011
Aircraft probably from No.2 Squadron RNZAF lands further down runway 21 at NAS Nowra (NSW Australia) than usual with hook extended to engage the short field arrest wire (with a much longer pullout than A-4Gs experienced onboard HMAS Melbourne - 1000+ feet compared to 250- feet)."
Chengjoo, speaking as a former A2 QFI and the father of someone doing an Aerospace Engineering degree, may I refer you to the excellent ''Aircraft Flight'' by Barnard and Philpott (ISBN 0-582-00338-5). It explains all the stuff your theory won't neccessarily give you insight, for example - your original question. My copy (edition 1) even has a picture of a Vulcan approaching with it's airbrakes out!
PS. Don't try to click to look inside - the link doesn't work.
PS. Don't try to click to look inside - the link doesn't work.
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A-4E/F/G Skyhawk NATOPS:
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=cbcd6...1824345&ppud=4#
[Look in the 'FAA A-4G Skyhawk RAN PDFs & Videos' Folder for [44Mb]
'A4E-F-G_NATOPS_manual_text_searchable_&_bookmarksOPT.pdf'
“Speedbrakes will normally remain extended throughout approach and landing. (Speedbrakes increase the stalling speed approximately 1 knot.)”
&
"FINAL
When the "meatball" appears in the center of the mirror, it will be necessary to reduce power slightly and ease the nose over, maintaining optimum angle-of-attack/airspeed. Proper glide slope and approach speed are maintained by keeping the "meatball" centered by coordinated adjustments of power for altitude corrections, and of attitude for airspeed corrections. The straightaway, with winds level, should be about 1-1/2 miles long.
Once the "meatball" is sighted, the approach should be monitored by cross-checking MEATBALL, LINEUP, ANGLE-OF-ATTACK INDEXER/AIRSPEED. Make necessary corrections immediately but smoothly.
LANDING
Keep the aircraft on the glide slope and centerline. Keep the "meatball" centered until touchdown. Do not flare. Upon touchdown, add full power and retract speedbrakes immediately. Climb straight ahead...”
'Back o'NATOPS' Graph Example: click graphic
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=cbcd6...1824345&ppud=4#
[Look in the 'FAA A-4G Skyhawk RAN PDFs & Videos' Folder for [44Mb]
'A4E-F-G_NATOPS_manual_text_searchable_&_bookmarksOPT.pdf'
“Speedbrakes will normally remain extended throughout approach and landing. (Speedbrakes increase the stalling speed approximately 1 knot.)”
&
"FINAL
When the "meatball" appears in the center of the mirror, it will be necessary to reduce power slightly and ease the nose over, maintaining optimum angle-of-attack/airspeed. Proper glide slope and approach speed are maintained by keeping the "meatball" centered by coordinated adjustments of power for altitude corrections, and of attitude for airspeed corrections. The straightaway, with winds level, should be about 1-1/2 miles long.
Once the "meatball" is sighted, the approach should be monitored by cross-checking MEATBALL, LINEUP, ANGLE-OF-ATTACK INDEXER/AIRSPEED. Make necessary corrections immediately but smoothly.
LANDING
Keep the aircraft on the glide slope and centerline. Keep the "meatball" centered until touchdown. Do not flare. Upon touchdown, add full power and retract speedbrakes immediately. Climb straight ahead...”
'Back o'NATOPS' Graph Example: click graphic
Last edited by SpazSinbad; 13th Sep 2011 at 12:02.
God.
He works for OC Central Flying School.
Who do you think trained the angels?
Archangels are Staneval instructors.
QWIs, on other other hand, work for Satan.
Keeps things in balance
He works for OC Central Flying School.
Who do you think trained the angels?
Archangels are Staneval instructors.
QWIs, on other other hand, work for Satan.
Keeps things in balance
Avoid imitations
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Who do you think trained the angels?
Another case
The Harrier 'droops' its airbrake when the gear is down to improve directional stability during deceleration from wing to jetborne flight - the aerodynamic equivalent of a tailskid on a tiger-moth... :-)
According to Bill Bedford it was discovered by chance during early trials following a decel with an airbrake unserviceability...
According to Bill Bedford it was discovered by chance during early trials following a decel with an airbrake unserviceability...
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On the Mk1 Andover one would select reverse thrust just before touchdown for a tactical landing. If one was landing in the desert then this technique produced a personal sandstorm!!
Last edited by cazatou; 12th Sep 2011 at 18:26.
