Close shave
 

Hi all,

Many years ago I was doing a trial lesson in a very old C150 as the club was short of aircraft. The student asked what would happen if the engine stopped. I said we would glide and find a field and land. He wanted to know more, so I idled the engine and showed him what would happen. He would not have it, saying the engine was still running. So I pulled the mixture, slowed down and stopped the engine. Then he was happy, I continued showing him which field we would land in and then went to re-start. Those old Cessnas had a T handle that you pulled to rotate the starter and it came off in my hand!! I just had enough room to build up enough speed to get started again and zoom over the field at low level, and continue back for a normal landing.

Certainly one of many close shaves I had in my career.

That is why engine-out practice should always be conducted fully prepared to land to a full stop.

Diving for the field in the hopes of getting engine rotation and a restart isn't a good idea; if it doesn't start, you may well give up your chance for a successful forced landing.

Don't pull the power if you're not willing to go all the way.