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NeilsenRM(at)comcast.net
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 Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 8:37 am Post subject: Crow Hopping |
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Ben
Its almost always good to to hear from you. On this subject again I
disagree.
I have been flying my VW powered MKIIIC for ten+ years and apparently not as
skilled a pilot as you. Last year when I got my newest reduction drive I
wanted to test it without actually committing aviation so I decided to crow
hop. I had tied the plane down and did a full power run up but. My strip is
only 1400 ft so gentle power changes would not get me airborne AND stopped
by the end of the strip. I was shocked. I would full power run up to flying
speed then pull power back with the intent of flying a few feet off the
ground. Wow. I pride myself on balancing power down pitch down power up
pitch up in the air but a few feet off the ground the skill level needs to
be very very high. I only did this a few times before I decided that this
was much more dangerous than just flying this preproduction redrive.
I noticed that you practiced crow hops in a Two place Phantom. For those
that aren't familiar with it I will note that it is tractor configuration. I
have never flown one but I suspect that it is much more docile in the crow
hop maneuver. I agree that if a crow hop is done power changes should be
made VERY minor. Also on a 5,000 to 10000 foot grass strip where a new pilot
will not feel rushed. Remember your are recommending this to a new pilot.
Gentle on the controls will come with time.
Again I recommend that crow hops should never be done is a Kolb. A Kolb is a
very good airplane but like all airplanes there are some things that you
shouldn't do and this is one of them. I do agree that learning balanced
usage of the controls is a very good thing but not close to the ground where
you have no room for error. Its somewhat like learning to drive a car on
ice. My dad took me to a big open parking lot where there was plenty of room
for error. Crow hopping is like learning ice driving on a crowded city
street.
Rick Neilsen
Redrive VW powered MKIIIC
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bransom(at)ucdavis.edu
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:13 am Post subject: Crow Hopping |
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Rick
I'm fine if there is disagreement on the merit of crow hopping. Just
wanted to get my $.02 in on it. It worked awfully well for me and I'm
grateful for having learned that way. I still enjoy riding along a
landing strip barely at flying speed and playing the controls. WRT
Phantom, although a tractor, it is still a high drag, low inertia plane,
and sinks quick when power chopped and two aboard. Makes sense there is
less pitch change due to throttle as you say. Can't remember that well!
 BTW, when my UL instructor and I felt I was dialed in, I got in a
Quicksilver MX to solo. I also wrote him a check for $5k to cover
anything other than 'happy landings'. How's that for self insured?
Good times.
Cheers,
-Ben
Richard & Martha Neilsen wrote:
[quote]
<NeilsenRM(at)comcast.net>
Ben
Its almost always good to to hear from you. On this subject again I
disagree.
I have been flying my VW powered MKIIIC for ten+ years and apparently
not as skilled a pilot as you. Last year when I got my newest
reduction drive I wanted to test it without actually committing
aviation so I decided to crow hop. I had tied the plane down and did a
full power run up but. My strip is only 1400 ft so gentle power
changes would not get me airborne AND stopped by the end of the strip.
I was shocked. I would full power run up to flying speed then pull
power back with the intent of flying a few feet off the ground. Wow. I
pride myself on balancing power down pitch down power up pitch up in
the air but a few feet off the ground the skill level needs to be very
very high. I only did this a few times before I decided that this was
much more dangerous than just flying this preproduction redrive.
I noticed that you practiced crow hops in a Two place Phantom. For
those that aren't familiar with it I will note that it is tractor
configuration. I have never flown one but I suspect that it is much
more docile in the crow hop maneuver. I agree that if a crow hop is
done power changes should be made VERY minor. Also on a 5,000 to 10000
foot grass strip where a new pilot will not feel rushed. Remember your
are recommending this to a new pilot. Gentle on the controls will come
with time.
Again I recommend that crow hops should never be done is a Kolb. A
Kolb is a very good airplane but like all airplanes there are some
things that you shouldn't do and this is one of them. I do agree that
learning balanced usage of the controls is a very good thing but not
close to the ground where you have no room for error. Its somewhat
like learning to drive a car on ice. My dad took me to a big open
parking lot where there was plenty of room for error. Crow hopping is
like learning ice driving on a crowded city street.
Rick Neilsen
Redrive VW powered MKIIIC
---
| | - The Matronics Kolb-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Kolb-List |
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