CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 12
ASI MESSAGE
With stall numbers and expected turnback
altitude requirements freshly established,
we each flew three profiles in near-perfect
conditions: cool, sunny morning, light winds, low
density altitude.
Please see the accompanying sidebar video-
Reality Check: The Runway Behind You-in
which we documented the results and our
conclusions.
Our takeaway is that in certain aircraft
with good climb rates and glide ratios, flown
by proficient pilots who've trained for the
maneuver, a turnback is a viable option. Aircraft
with poor power-off glide performance in a
turn are unlikely to make a turnback at any
altitude. Pilots flying these aircraft using
typical departure and climbout profiles should
eliminate turnbacks as an option for engine
failure on takeoff.
Variables like wind, temperature, density
altitude, and technique could affect these results,
but not enough to substantially improve our
outcomes. Please don't fly this exercise solo in an
attempt to prove us wrong or confirm our results.
We've lost pilots training in these maneuvers
due to the high potential for an uncoordinated
stall and spin in the turnback. Fly with a CFI, at
altitude first and determine your strategy in the
event of an engine failure on takeoff.
Go fly.
Reality Check:
Richard G. McSpadden, Jr.
Senior Vice President, AOPA Air Safety Institute
Richard McSpadden is a commercial pilot and
CFI with more than 4,500 hours in 30 years of
flying a variety of civilian and military aircraft.
He is a former F-15 pilot and Thunderbirds
leader for the U.S. Air Force, and he has extensive
experience in aviation safety, including ground,
flight, and special event operations. Email:
richard.mcspadden@aopa.org
The Runway Behind You
Is the " impossible turn " in a single-engine airplane
after all possible? Ask a group of pilots and you'll
stoke a passionate debate among opponents and
proponents of what is known as the " 180-degree
turnback " to the departure runway after engine
failure on takeoff.
We investigated the disputed turnback theories,
using a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, a Van's RV-4, a
Cessna 172N, and a Beechcraft Bonanza A36. Our
study was conducted by highly experienced and
proficient pilots flying predetermined profiles in
near-perfect conditions. But the different results
of turning back to the runway were surprising for
each of us flying these profiles. You'll see why in the
Reality Check video accompanying this story. Click
the multimedia button to watch.
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2
CFItoCFI Newsletter—Vol. 12, Issue 2
CFI Notes
Letters
Navigating BasicMed—Follow These Simple Steps
Safety Webinars: Hone Your Skills—Be Well-Informed
Safety Webinars: Freedom in Rules—Responsibly Transitioning from Paper to EFT
ASI Message: An Impossible Turn?—Reality Check on Turnbacks
CFI News
CFI Tips: The Longest Flight Review
Checkride Checklist: DPE Answers for Students and CFIs
Practical Advice: Avoid Mishaps—Keep Your Pocket Book Happy
Chart Challenge: Rocket Science or Space Race?
CFI's Point of View: Nontowered Airport Ops—Safety and Good Manners
Accident Case Study: Faulty Assumptions
You Can Fly: AOPA's Flight Training Experience Survey is Back!
Safety Quiz: Colllision Avoidance
CFI Tools: Thunder and Lightning—Can be Frightening
Chief's Corner: Conversations About This and That
Runway Safety: Over the Line
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - CFItoCFI Newsletter—Vol. 12, Issue 2
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - CFI Notes
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Letters
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Navigating BasicMed—Follow These Simple Steps
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 5
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 6
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 7
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 8
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Safety Webinars: Hone Your Skills—Be Well-Informed
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Safety Webinars: Freedom in Rules—Responsibly Transitioning from Paper to EFT
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - ASI Message: An Impossible Turn?—Reality Check on Turnbacks
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 12
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - CFI News
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 14
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 15
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 16
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - CFI Tips: The Longest Flight Review
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 18
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 19
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 20
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Checkride Checklist: DPE Answers for Students and CFIs
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 22
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Practical Advice: Avoid Mishaps—Keep Your Pocket Book Happy
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 24
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 25
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Chart Challenge: Rocket Science or Space Race?
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 27
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - CFI's Point of View: Nontowered Airport Ops—Safety and Good Manners
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 29
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Accident Case Study: Faulty Assumptions
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 31
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - You Can Fly: AOPA's Flight Training Experience Survey is Back!
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Safety Quiz: Colllision Avoidance
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - CFI Tools: Thunder and Lightning—Can be Frightening
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 35
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 36
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Chief's Corner: Conversations About This and That
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 38
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - 39
CFI-to-CFI Newsletter - Volume 12 Issue 2 - Runway Safety: Over the Line
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