Displacing to the side of runway on T.O.

[dcarr4321]

I have heard some recommendations to offsetting to one side of the runway after take off. This is to allow for a 180 turn to a down wind landing back to the runway in the event of an engine failure. I will talk to my gyro flight instructor about this but what are the general thoughts on this practice?

[iconnary]

There was an EAA Sportpilot magazine article about this not too long ago. The idea of course is to be better setup for a sharp 180 turn back to the runway in the event of engine problems. I believe the idea is more applicable to fixed wing aircraft than gyros, since you need far more runway to land and stop safely in a fixed wing. It takes a bit of practice to get the timing right, but power off landings from 200 feet altitude with only 200 feet of runway left are very doable in a gyro.

Never the less, I find myself flying next to the runway on climbout occasionally, depending on the circumstances. Parallel taxiways are also well suited for this type of emergency.

Perhaps more importantly I make a point of always using the entire runway length for my climbout, rather than turning crosswind early (remember Marty Lunsford's video (http://www.fly-ul.com/crash/lunsford/CrashVideo.wmv)?). By the time I reach the end of the runway I'll usually have enough altitude to make 3 or 4 u-turns on my way down.

[tailrotor]

My thought would be to practice staying preciesly on the center line. Any diviation would require immediate correction. I think that this would instill precise control of the aircraft and the importance of timely corrections.

just me
Brian G. Douglas
PP, SEL
Killeen, Texas

[RockyMeLad]

My instructor seemed to have a common sense approach...
Stay "in-line" as long as there is enough runway to safely set back down if it gets quiet.
Then offset parallel until the end of the runway to allow for the "u-turn" landing.
I've never (knock on wood) had to do such a landing other than in practice, but my bird did one early in it's life when the drive belt shredded and went away. Charlie flipped it around and landed like it was "normal". (Thanks again, Charlie!)

[Harry_S.]

As a gyro pilot gains experience...hours flown...I think it prudent that he practice any maneuver he considers himself capable to perform. This could encompass practice to further boost his confidence, performance, increase his knowledge and to better prepare himself to handle an actual incident; if you will.

If in theory he is reluctant to try a specific maneuver, by all means, do not attempt it, talk it over with his instructor and fly it with the CFI. If the CFI discounts the maneuver as being unsafe, so be it, let it go for now. Better safe than sorry.

Regular practice of recovery techniques for simulated incidents, should be on every pilot's agenda. You're out there fun flying anyway...so practice an engine out, if you're goin' to land anyway, go ahead and land...if you don't want to land, add power and climb on out.

Back to the thread topic...Oh, maybe 6 or 7 times a year, I'll edge over off the side of the runway after liftoff and at about 200 ft. I'll chop power, turn and lower the nose simultaneously and set up for landing downwind. With a lead sled, you can't be slow with the controls. Most times, I don't touch down but recover with power and climb out.

Don't get me wrong now...if you have runway or flat land straight ahead...go for it. Practice that straight ahead recovery, but...practice the 180 also. You never know when this maneuver will be used to even avert an incident?!


Cheers :)

[OzyRuss]

Ok.......i see someone has picked this up from the ozy forum a few weeks ago.

There is another "safety" technique there as well, that will one day save your bones.

That is "your" aircrafts BEST glide speed.............the best speed to get you gliding the furtherest.
experiment, get to know that speed, then stick that speed on your dash.........one day, you will need to know that.........guaranteed.

[bones]

There is another "safety" technique there as well, that will one day save your bones.

Leave me out ofthis will you,,, you croc bait :peace:

[OzyRuss]

Russ............wash your mouth out with soap..........how dare you reference human anatomy and " gyro pilot extraordinaire" in the same sentence.

Bleedin insult to "humans" :peace: