I am a pilot with 50 hours on my and a STOL plane, I am starting to experiment with landing and taking off at different flaps settings and is to much fun. This video is a very good visual of the difference that flaps do. I had to watch it more than once, very cool, thank you
Be aware if using high flaps and slow approach speeds you are on the edge of stall - so use caution if wind is gusty and / or you're at higher gross weights. I find the SW very comfortable at slower speeds but it comes from a long process of knowing pitch / power & resulting performance. Gradually work into these edges of the envelope, and develop the feel for how airplane behaves.
What about book numbers? Do you ever use those? Seems like the book numbers combine the best of all these. Also, would be curious to know when you take off with flaps, at what AGL and speed do you pull them out at?
Published speeds are fine, I found instructors tend to fly CT's with faster approaches due to the abrupt nature this airplane stops flying, combined with CT's having a high incident rate of runway excursions - a lot to explain but suffice it to say the general approach is often speeds above published numbers. All LSA aircraft being lower weight are subject to more influence of winds, the loaded condition (fuel amount / passenger / cargo / etc.), and they behave very different with temp / density altitude / wind speeds - so to answer your question I fly an approach speed based on factoring all these items. Solo and light winds, slower approach. Gross weight, and/or high winds = faster approach. Then type of airport is a consideration as well, a class C with 5k length - yeah I'll fly 65-70 approach as there is so long of a runway who cares, and work to keep traffic moving. But sticking this in my friends yard under 1k runway length - yeah, that takes an understanding of speeds and skills to not run it into the weeds. Flaps are not retracted quickly, say the middle of the white arc or so, maybe 55 knots, ensure a good positive trend of airspeed and rate of climb then bring them up. It happens quick in these high performing CT's, but not a rushed event, just don't over speed the white arc - not a big deal.
@@darrellwitham832 Sounds good. Once I am abeam the numbers on my downwind I have been pitching for 52 knots with 30 flaps. Allows me to stick the landing with no float. Book says 54 but for some reason I find that 52 works good. When taking off with flaps when do you pull them in. My home airport is 7k long so I've been taking off with no flaps. Seems a lot smoother on the climb out not having to transition. Thanks for the video and the explanation.
I also have an SW. it’s an 05. Like you said. It’s not a stol aircraft but people definitely underestimate what it’s capable of. They make a Cessna 150 look bad in every category
I am just getting used to the sw. Can you give some of the speeds you use on downwind base and final and power settings. ? Do you use a larger pattern size. Seems we get on final with 30 flaps and is just wants to stay up in the air on a 88f degree day. Any thought would surely be appreciated. All the best Neal Sw Fla
Man, that is a good-looking aircraft. She seems to come off the ground in a reasonably short distance. Good job.
I am a pilot with 50 hours on my and a STOL plane, I am starting to experiment with landing and taking off at different flaps settings and is to much fun. This video is a very good visual of the difference that flaps do. I had to watch it more than once, very cool, thank you
Thank you! it really clear my mind about flap use on ctsw!
Be aware if using high flaps and slow approach speeds you are on the edge of stall - so use caution if wind is gusty and / or you're at higher gross weights. I find the SW very comfortable at slower speeds but it comes from a long process of knowing pitch / power & resulting performance. Gradually work into these edges of the envelope, and develop the feel for how airplane behaves.
Yes, so clearly you should land with flaps down, but do you takeoff with flaps down too? I noticed a shorter take off when the flaps were down
What about book numbers? Do you ever use those? Seems like the book numbers combine the best of all these. Also, would be curious to know when you take off with flaps, at what AGL and speed do you pull them out at?
Published speeds are fine, I found instructors tend to fly CT's with faster approaches due to the abrupt nature this airplane stops flying, combined with CT's having a high incident rate of runway excursions - a lot to explain but suffice it to say the general approach is often speeds above published numbers. All LSA aircraft being lower weight are subject to more influence of winds, the loaded condition (fuel amount / passenger / cargo / etc.), and they behave very different with temp / density altitude / wind speeds - so to answer your question I fly an approach speed based on factoring all these items. Solo and light winds, slower approach. Gross weight, and/or high winds = faster approach. Then type of airport is a consideration as well, a class C with 5k length - yeah I'll fly 65-70 approach as there is so long of a runway who cares, and work to keep traffic moving. But sticking this in my friends yard under 1k runway length - yeah, that takes an understanding of speeds and skills to not run it into the weeds. Flaps are not retracted quickly, say the middle of the white arc or so, maybe 55 knots, ensure a good positive trend of airspeed and rate of climb then bring them up. It happens quick in these high performing CT's, but not a rushed event, just don't over speed the white arc - not a big deal.
@@darrellwitham832 Sounds good. Once I am abeam the numbers on my downwind I have been pitching for 52 knots with 30 flaps. Allows me to stick the landing with no float. Book says 54 but for some reason I find that 52 works good. When taking off with flaps when do you pull them in. My home airport is 7k long so I've been taking off with no flaps. Seems a lot smoother on the climb out not having to transition. Thanks for the video and the explanation.
Michigander here. I plan to buy one in the coming days. Can you reach out to me?
Hey Josh - good to connect, looking forward to flying with you.
I also have an SW. it’s an 05. Like you said. It’s not a stol aircraft but people definitely underestimate what it’s capable of. They make a Cessna 150 look bad in every category
I am just getting used to the sw. Can you give some of the speeds you use on downwind base and final and power settings. ? Do you use a larger pattern size. Seems we get on final with 30 flaps and is just wants to stay up in the air on a 88f degree day. Any thought would surely be appreciated. All the best Neal Sw Fla