Blog – FLWOP (Forced Landing Without Power) 17/02/2024
Today was another of those muggy summer days where its raining one side of the ranges, and glorious sunshine the other. Lucky for me the sun was on the flying side!
Today was another practice of Forced Landing Without Power.
Once at the training area, my FI pulled the throttle to idle at 3000 ft and requested I demonstrate a forced landing without power.
First off is setting the aircraft at best glide speed which for the Tecnam is 68 kts. I selected a field with good size, shape, slope, and in the direction of the wind and commenced to my 1500 foot area which is approximately 45 degrees from the upwind end of the field. I managed to reach this area at around 2500ft so I descended in a gentle circle until I came out at 1500 ft. I then tracked downwind keeping the field out my left window to my 1000ft point which is abeam of the threshold. I then did a gentle turn to base and then onto final still with no flap employed. At this point my FI asked “When did you know you could you have made the field?” The short answer was that I wasn’t sure at any time, plus I was way too close to the chosen field. “Trust the aircraft, she will fly further than you think. Just fly a normal pattern.
Once I started to trim the aircraft for 68kts accurately, and fly a normal downwind things got much easier.
On the second attempt I had the height, speed, and distance all dialled in. I kept asking myself “how does the aim point look? Are we too high, too low or about right?
Once I started to do this it all clicked and I could bring the aircraft onto a good final. Once the FI was satisfied, I commenced a climb back to 3000ft for a few more.
My FI was pleased with the progress and consistency. So was I.
I chose a good size field with a good shape and orientation with clear reference points. Not bad considering it has been some time between doing this task. I managed to do this to his satisfaction I will take that as a win.
We then flew towards home base to practice the standard over head join. This procedure was complicated by an incoming flight of Tiger Moth Bi-planes. I managed to sight the aircraft and made radio calls to them to confirm we had them in sight and that they saw us too.
Due to their slower speed and the fact we were doing a standard overhead join, and we on the non traffic side, we extended our leg and did a gentle turn back to the traffic side. This gave the Tigers plenty of room to turn left immediately onto downwind and finals. All great practice for the old adage: aviate, navigate, communicate.
Once on final, I had to go around on my first attempt as I was still to high and too close to the field. Second time was much better and I managed a fairly good landing.
Another good solid session and I came out of the aircraft tired, happy and well trained.
Next time we plan on a repeat to see how much I improve and how much has been retained, and add in some fuel management.
Happy days!
Happy Days!
Until next time…..
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Blog – Forced Landings Without Power 17/02/2024