making that perfect landing

[Guest]

yeah, I was suspicious at first, too (I actually read it in the operating manual for the Mooney Bravo in "Fly", I think)....but, because the flaps are electric, and don't move that fast, it doesn't change the sink rate that rapidly, and the plane just settles. (at least in the sim....don't know about a real Mooney either, can't afford one.) BTW, it is "flare" (I was brain dead when I wrote it....). I wouldn't use it as a matter of course, but it does help to get the wheels on the tarmac as you're floating along in ground effect watching the runway disappear. You do have to be a little nimble on the yoke, to make sure the nose doesn't drop, so don't do it if the yoke is already all the way back...And I agree that nailing the speeds is the key. That's why it helps to know exactly what the airplane will do for each power and pitch combination. It makes the approach the same each time. And, it gives you a method (other than dumb luck and a lot of trips around the pattern in each airplane) to figure out what those combinations are.You're right as well as to carrying a bit of power to touchdown for the heavier singles and most twins. In fact, some of my best landings in the 182 have been where I experimented with slowly reducing power throughout the round-out and flare, so that the throttle gets to the stop just as the wheels touch.

[Guest]

This might work in the sim, but I can imagine a real-world aircraft manufacturer recommending, "killing" some flaps in the flare. Several reasons: (1) if done in correctly this may result in a sudden decrease in lift and cause the aircraft to sink dramatically, (2) your stall speed will increase as flap angle decreases, (3) many gear incidents occur because the gear level is selected instead of the flaps, (4) your hand should be on the power lever in case you need to go around/recover from a porpoise/gain elevator authority/arrest a descent.Know your aircraft, nail the speeds, and don't touch the flap handle until you're off the runway.

[Guest]

Also in real life low wing airplanes do not need as much flare as a 172.

[Guest]

I found that out the hard way when I tried and did land a Mooney M20C ranger I bounced it just a little

[Guest]

You make some excellent points. Sure as heck hate to raise the gear just before touchdown....but, that was the "tip" from the Fly! handbook on the Mooney, and it works on Fly! as well as FS2k2. We were talking about flying sims weren't we? I wouldn't recommend doing anything other than what is "normal" in a real plane....doesn't matter if you "bouce" on the computer, but it's hard on the gear if you're really flying...Still, the book (Positive Flying) is great. It gives you an excellent method for learning the airplane quickly. I found I flailed around a lot on landings until I read the book and used the numbers as recommended for power and pitch.

[Guest]

I would like to know where I can get a copy of that book I have the takeoff and landing tapes by King Schools

[Guest]

I got my copy at a local used book store. Don't know if it's still in print, but it was originally published in 1978 by Delacourte Press. Maybe the public library?

[Guest]

I will check there