Navajo wheels up.
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Think of a happy place. Think of a happy place. Think of a happy place
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I was told by the head of a large insurance company a few years back at an instructors conference that,"Once there is a problem with your aircraft, it belongs to the insurance company. So save yourself above all else. Let me worry about the bulk strip."
I have always abided by that. Why shut down a perfectly good engine to save some money when I could cost you your life?
TBT
I have always abided by that. Why shut down a perfectly good engine to save some money when I could cost you your life?
TBT
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: QLD!
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Gyro, PM me if you really believe what you hear... Ive got a lot of info!
An about the article, how did he "battle", trying to find the POH and read it for the first time?!!
Oh, PJE ops...
An about the article, how did he "battle", trying to find the POH and read it for the first time?!!
Oh, PJE ops...
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Still in Paradise
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The Aztec (with its three extension systems - engine driven hydraulic, hand pump and blow-down) manual says if you can't extend the gear, position for a gear-up and when assured of reaching the strip, shut the engines down and move the props out of the way with the starters. Feathering will present the narrow cross section to the ground and result in much more force being transmitted to the engine / mounts / wing, compared to the easily bent flat section.
The Nav and Twin Catastrophe manual says the same, but the Chieftain doesn't mention it; nor does the 55 Baron.
From recent experience, insurance won't give you new motors and props either, only pro-rata on what hours were left when you dinged it.
The Nav and Twin Catastrophe manual says the same, but the Chieftain doesn't mention it; nor does the 55 Baron.
From recent experience, insurance won't give you new motors and props either, only pro-rata on what hours were left when you dinged it.
Don Quixote Impersonator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Australia
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prospector surely you must have something better to do with your time you've certainly nothing to add here.
In case you didn't notice this is the 21st Century.
Those manuals were written in the sixties and with the liabilities the way they are now such "advice" would not be tolerated, in any event there is noone left out of those companies that are worth suing.
In case you didn't notice this is the 21st Century.
Those manuals were written in the sixties and with the liabilities the way they are now such "advice" would not be tolerated, in any event there is noone left out of those companies that are worth suing.
You have to be careful about feathering the props before touch down. If feathered, bits can dig in and snap off and hit someone. Some years ago in Tonga, an Aztec landed wheels up with props feathered. Unfortunately one of the props dug into the grass airfiled and the aircraft turned up side down and the pilot did not survive. I guess it depends on aircraft type and strip surface. For instance if ditching, would it be safer to feather the props so that there is minimum frontal resistance to water? And does it matter, anyway?
Join Date: Jun 2004
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My experience is that navajos have one of the more reliable and sturdy gears in GA. But input of good workmanship, and obviously money is required, obviously.
This operators (not saying is the cause) due to pje ops cycles the gear every 0.5 hrs of flight, lands on a dirt strip every time, and preventive maintenance may not be the best. Gears go bad for many reasons, could have been a bad casting made 20 years ago...who knows, hopefully a good investigation can show the real cause. But in general I believe they respond how you treat them. Just glad no one was hurt. Must say his landing was a very good one.
I recall the POH does call for feathering, but I too take it with some salt.
Travelair, I know what you mean.
MRC
This operators (not saying is the cause) due to pje ops cycles the gear every 0.5 hrs of flight, lands on a dirt strip every time, and preventive maintenance may not be the best. Gears go bad for many reasons, could have been a bad casting made 20 years ago...who knows, hopefully a good investigation can show the real cause. But in general I believe they respond how you treat them. Just glad no one was hurt. Must say his landing was a very good one.
I recall the POH does call for feathering, but I too take it with some salt.
Travelair, I know what you mean.
MRC
