Emergency Landings

[GeneralPatton]

Phillip here, in my Calidus I practice a power idle landing every time I leave the runway, and I do this from 300 to 2000 agl.
I use spiral descents, then gentle turns but no sideslips, the Autogyro POH states excessive slips to be avoided. How much is excessive? Not wanting to find that edge of the envelope.
This practice allows me to determine a time and a radius of flight pattern I can determine a safe landing can be made. Also a spiral can indicate the wind direction by gauging the drift over the landing target, not to mention the all important clearing turns for traffic.

 

[chimptastic]

Just my random thoughts on Emergency Landings:
I used to wonder if I could handle an engine out. Then I had a couple engine outs in my Air Command (both my fault) and what I've learned is that, assuming you can fly with even basic proficiency, you absolutely CAN handle an engine out. The question is (almost) never really pilot ability, it's pilot confidence. You can land your darn gyro. In and of itself there's no real difference between flying and landing the gyro on idle vs shut down. The difference is in your head.

The question is whether or not the shock and panic will prevent you from doing what you're easily able to do: land where you mean to. Most of the drills and practice we do is really so that we have the confidence that we know what to do when the time comes, so we can relax, not panic, and perform (I won't make the easy joke there). It's important practice for that purpose, because once you realize you can do it, it becomes way easier to do.

 

[Resasi]

Just one proviso, I used to try to practice unanticipated engine outs, on every flight, difficult when you make the decision when the throttle comes back.

One thing I did try to work on... gradually, was how low it was possible/practical to do these. I had slowly managed to get down to around 200', which was extremely fortunate as both of my actual engine outs were just after TO and very low.

Both landings were, as Vance might describe them, were 'inelegant', but no damage was sustained. They did however require immediate action to preserve the 55Kt climb out speed I had, without, pushing forward so fast that negative G was encountered?

Practise paid dividends.

It is a worthwhile exercise regularly done

 

[JETLAG03]

One could create a random timer that would sound a buzzer/ illuminate a light to aide engine out practice. Maybe with a random time range of 5-15 minutes.

 

[Burrengyro]

Takeoffs are optional, landings are mandatory, as my CFI reminded me as he pulled the power!
Happy landings to you all for 2022 and into the future.

 

[StanFoster]

I was self taught flying in each one of my gyroplanes... but my single main training aid for emergency landings was to cut the throttle on a "whim". I dont mean that I premeditate after getting this cut the throttle on a "whim".. thought....then go 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1...cut throttle....

I mean when the random thought comes in my head, my throttle would get cut immediately...kind of like a real engine out perhaps??....Then I would see how I would react and bring it down to my picked out landing zone...and if it looked like a typical non event....I would power up and pat myself on the back. However, I had times where ...whoa...I was not set up right...or I had been flying in the dead man's zone of the HV grey area....and I would then scold myself, be more vigilant about staying out of the HV grey area. I learned very quickly with this self taught training method. With 18 real forced landings in 4 gyros and my 19th and 20th in my helicopter. ..all 20 being able to fly my machine without repair or even scratching my skin...I feel that method served me well. However, perhaps it could be said that I needed to have better training in maintenance!!