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Newsletter safety articles

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N1BZRich(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 4:35 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

All,

     Craig Summer asked if we could do a sort of survey  for the Lightning newsletter and ask about safety.  So what type of  safety articles would you want to see covered in the future?  I  am looking for either specific or general in nature suggestions as to what might  be helpful both during the build phase or, obviously, the flying phase for your  Lightnings.  What would you like to see covered that has a potential safety  impact?  Ground safety, flight safety, build safety, tool safety, anything  that is safety related.  (Well, maybe not practicing safe sex.   Everyone is up on that, I guess.) 

     In the past I have covered things on  normal landings, in flight and landing emergencies, and some fuel  considerations.  The next issue (April - which is about 85% done except for  an update on the LS-1) will have some things to think about on cross wind  landings and as a bonus, some considerations when landing on grass or turf  runways (yes, I love grass runways).  

     Pete Disher has already suggested one safety  related article on weather flying.  I see several levels of any  weather discussion when flying the LIghtning.  One would be just your ever  day decision making on go - no go when you don't have perfectly blue skies  and some discussion on what to do when you encounter weather that was not  forecast during your flight.  Another level would be for actual IFR  flight.  This article should probably cover the things you need to do to  get your Lightning certified for IFR flight (Linda's is the only one I am aware  that has this certification) and also cover the decision making process, both  before you launch and during the flight itself.  I feel sure Linda would  cover the IFR certification for experimental aircraft for us.  Linda?   And of course, World Record Earl had to make many weather related go/no go  decision both during and before he even launched on his world record  flight.  Earl?  

     How about you, what safety related articles would  you like to see?  Have you had a flight that you could tell us about that  could have been a potential safety issue?  How did you handle  it?  What did you Learn about flying from that?  What suggestions can  you make for safety articles?  What articles can you write for us?  We  will pay you the going rate for people that write for our newsletter.  As  always, I appreciate your input.

 Blue Skies,

 Buz

  

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

  [quote][b]

pennington(at)q.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:47 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  Hello Buz

 When you write the article on Cross Winds, could you include your ideas on  gusty, turbulent winds in general...especially on Final Approach. 

 Maybe it could include recommendations on flap extension and approach  speeds under those conditions. I've been experimenting and I would be interested  in your opinion.

 Thanks

 Gary Pennington

 [quote]   ---

pjdisher(at)bigpond.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Hi Buz,

 Yes, Gary has a good request here, I also would certainly  love some hints on your technique on handling turbulent final approaches, I  have really had some close calls. With 25 hours now, my bird is the most  delightful plane to fly, but come turbulent air on landing, I certainly have my  hands full, there is a lot I need to work on.

 Many thanks Buz.

 Pete D

 ---

lbmathias(at)verizon.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:10 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Buz,

     

     I may be the only one who feels this way but I don't  think we should add safety articles as a general topic in the  newsletter.   There are many other sources of information on general  aviation safety; I receive lots of magazines and Internet information with the  like.  I believe that we should limit the newsletter to things pertaining  specifically to the Lightning; if one of the owners/pilots needs help with a  specific topic, fine but don't add safety information just for the sake of  it.

  

 My two cents, Linda 

 [quote]   ---

N1BZRich(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:24 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

In a message dated 3/15/2009 9:47:34 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  pennington(at)q.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		     When you write the article on Cross Winds, could you include your ideas    on gusty, turbulent winds in general...especially on Final Approach.    

	


 

 Gary and Pete D.,

     That crosswind article is already written - and  since I seem to have to do most of the writing myself, it is primarily just the  basics.  But it does touch on the two common techniques used for  crosswinds.  The one I use I think is best suited for changing winds.   It would be hard to cover every situation, but your idea may have merritt.   Most guys with any past experience will have some ideas of their on as to use of  flaps, etc.  But I would like you both to send me your thoughts for a  future issue and I can expand on that.  Hey guys, I really am asking for  some help.  You wouldn't believe the hours I put in on just getting each  issue out.  It is a great idea, and need to be covered, I just need  some help it get it done in a timely basis.

 Buz 

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

  [quote][b]

N1BZRich(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 7:36 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

In a message dated 3/15/2009 11:10:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  lbmathias(at)verizon.net writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		  I    believe that we should limit the newsletter to things pertaining    specifically to the Lightning; if one of the owners/pilots needs help    with a specific topic, fine but don't add safety information just for the sake    of it. 	


 

 You know, Linda, now that I really think about it, that is pretty much the  initial goal and idea of the newsletter - to share Lightning specific topics -  building and flying.  Maybe I am getting too far off target trying to cover  things that pilots should already know - like how to handle crosswind landings  or landing on grass runways.  Good point.  Probably would  make my job easier.  So I throw this out to the group.  How many agree  with Linda that we should only talk about Lightning specific things?  Send  in your "vote" then Linda and I will do the democratic thing and make the  decision ourselves.  Just kidding.  Let us know what you  think.      

 Buz

 Need a job? Find employment help in your area.

  [quote][b]

cdewey6969(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Buz, I like your idea about safety tips. A bad landing in a crosswind can cost big $$$$$ to fix- so any tips to avoid costly repairs from improper technique can be helpful.   Charles

--- On Sun, 3/15/09, N1BZRich(at)aol.com <N1BZRich(at)aol.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   From: N1BZRich(at)aol.com <N1BZRich(at)aol.com>

 Subject: Re: Newsletter safety articles

 To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

 Date: Sunday, March 15, 2009, 11:34 PM

 In a message dated 3/15/2009 11:10:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight

 Time,  

 lbmathias(at)verizon.net writes:

 I  believe that we should limit the newsletter to things

 pertaining  

 specifically to the Lightning; if one of the owners/pilots

 needs help  with a specific 

 topic, fine but don't add safety information just for

 the sake  of it.

 You know, Linda, now that I really think about it, that is

 pretty much the  

 initial goal and idea of the newsletter - to share

 Lightning specific topics -  

 building and flying.  Maybe I am getting too far off target

 trying to cover  

 things that pilots should already know - like how to handle

 crosswind landings 

  or landing on grass runways.  Good point.  Probably would 

 make my job 

 easier.  So I throw this out to the group.  How many agree 

 with Linda that we 

 should only talk about Lightning specific things?  Send  in

 your "vote" then Linda 

 and I will do the democratic thing and make the  decision

 ourselves.  Just 

 kidding.  Let us know what you  think.      

 Buz

 **************Need a job? Find employment help in your

 area. 

 (http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000005)

pjdisher(at)bigpond.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:56 pm Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Hi again Buz,

 Linda could possibly be right in a general flying sense and I do  really feel quiet comfortable when flying  Pipers and Cessna's,  but I find the Lightning quiet different, in rough air and on approach to land  only, mine is very sensitive, quiet a hand full, maybe my speeds are wrong or  power settings not right and then there is flaps, how much. I have been  experimenting many opinions and still find I'm not quiet there.(rough air  that is.)

 My aircraft, when I tested it for Static Longitudinal Stability and Dynamic  LS was Neutral in all cases, Is your aircraft and other Lightnings the same or  are they positive?  I just had a thought, that it being Neutral stability,  it could be a little more difficult in rough air. just a thought.

 I can just here the our RAA guys here saying, Disher, get out of GA and  join our mob.

 Thanks again

 Pete D

  

 [quote]   ---

wb2ssj(at)frontiernet.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:04 am Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Buz, I am almost 70 and Have been flying for a long time it seems, but I go  to every Aopa and every safety seninar the Faa puts on. There is allways  something that learn I at these meetings. If you have something on  safety you can bet I will read it. 

 TEX

 [quote]   ---

EAFerguson(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 4:05 am Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

In a message dated 3/15/2009 11:36:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  N1BZRich(at)aol.com writes:

  	  Quote: 	
		     You know, Linda, now that I really think about it, that is pretty much    the initial goal and idea of the newsletter - to share Lightning specific    topics - building and flying.  Maybe I am getting too far off target    trying to cover things that pilots should already know - like how to handle    crosswind landings or landing on grass runways.  Good    point.  Probably would make my job easier.  So I throw this out    to the group.  How many agree with Linda that we should only talk about    Lightning specific things?  Send in your "vote" then Linda and I will do    the democratic thing and make the decision ourselves.  Just    kidding.  Let us know what you think.       

   Buz

	


 

 Agree with Linda, but having said that there are a number of Lightning  specific issues to cover. Turbulence on TO & landing is one. I'm flying  Light Sport with vortex generators and there are some issues for us that are  slightly different from those you jet pilots face.

  

 Earl

 Feeling the pinch at the grocery store?  Make dinner for $10 or less.

  [quote][b]

info(at)flylightning.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:40 am Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Group,  

   

I think the most important thing to remember about flying the lightning is that it is still a light aircraft. Remember the Lightning most likely weighs at gross what your normal GA aircraft weighs empty. So with that in mind your aircraft limitations are different and so are yours as a pilot. The lightning is a good handling aircraft and many of us have flown it in conditions other than it was intended. But remember a windy day that would be fine in a 3000lb Cessna, is going to be significantly different than in the 1400lb lightning, and that’s at gross, not single pilot doing test flights thats more like 1100lbs.  

I do think that sharing tips on safety is a good ides but not in this forum. Or in the newsletter. We should be trading tips on building do and don’t and jigs we build and so forth. Buz did a great job of giving a forum at the Lightning Fly-in on safety and test flying.  

I think if we are looking for more good material for the newsletter lets write some good stuff to buz about what we are doing to sooth that head scratching that goes on when building a plane and not some information that is good and important but not applicable.  

   

You know like light beer, less filling more taste.  

   

nick  

         

  

From: owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-lightning-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of Peter and Jan Disher

 Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 9:43 PM

 To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com

 Subject: Re: Lightning-List: Newsletter safety articles   

  

     

Hi Buz,  

    

Yes, Gary has a good request here, I also would certainly love some hints on your technique on handling turbulent final approaches, I have really had some close calls. With 25 hours now, my bird is the most delightful plane to fly, but come turbulent air on landing, I certainly have my hands full, there is a lot I need to work on.  

    

Many thanks Buz.  

    

Pete D  

    

----- Original Message -----   

  [quote]    

From: GARY PENNINGTON (pennington(at)q.com)   

    

To: lightning-list(at)matronics.com (lightning-list(at)matronics.com)   

    

Sent: Monday, March 16, 2009 12:44 PM  

    

Subject: Re: Newsletter safety articles   

    

   

      

Hello Buz  

    

When you write the article on Cross Winds, could you include your ideas on gusty, turbulent winds in general...especially on Final Approach.   

    

Maybe it could include recommendations on flap extension and approach speeds under those conditions. I've been experimenting and I would be interested in your opinion.  

    

Thanks  

    

Gary Pennington  

  [quote]    

---

pennington(at)q.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 6:54 am Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

<?xml:namespace prefix="v" /><?xml:namespace prefix="o" /><![endif]-->  Good morning Buz... and to everyone in the Lightning world.

  

 We have all had pilot training, and, for the most part, we all enjoy  flying. I believe everyone has "expertise" in certain areas, but none of us  are experts in every area. My point is, I believe that we can all learn from the  experience of others. If anyone has a proper technique that would allow me to  land more safely and confidently in gusty, turbulent air, I would like to hear  about it. Whether the information is disseminated in the "Newsletter" or in  an email, is not important. Although, the "Newsletter" may be more  "Official" and available to a larger audience.

  

 I brought up the issue about landing in gusty, turbulent air for good  reason. Last week, I flew to Lake Havasu again. I enjoy the flight and I  like Havasu. Upon leaving Marana Airport, the wind was calm and skies were clear  and blue. The "ADDS" weather site indicated another "Low Pressure Front" moving  into the state and I expected rough air. To my surprise, it was very  calm....until I arrived at Havasu. The airport at Havasu is in a "bowl" of sorts  surrounded by mountain ranges. When the wind is blowing, significant  turbulence is created over the mountain crests and down into the valley. At  Havasu, AWOS was reporting wind at 14, gusting to 24, but fortunately, it was  down runway 32. 

  

 A couple things I've noticed about my Lightning, 1) with 30 degrees of  flaps, it does not want to loose altitude under the above described conditions,  especially with updrafts, 2) with 30 degrees of flaps and normal approach  speeds, it is more difficult to handle in rough conditions. I've experimented  with a variety of different scenarios and, for the most part, 15 degrees of  flaps and 65-70 mph over the numbers provides better control in rough  conditions.

  

 Anyway, back to the Havasu story. Approach to runway 32 is   accomplished over the water because the city, South of the  airport, is a "Noise Sensitive Area". While descending over the lake,  the air was quite rough. When turning final, it worsened. I dropped 20 degrees  of flaps and attempted to hold 65 mph but wind shear demanded a minimum of 75  mph.  I managed to land safely, (not pretty), with the help of a "higher  power".

 After landing, I watched as two King Air's approached and landed. The rough  air didn't seem to affect them much and I began to wonder if a larger, more  heavy plane would be a better option. I recalled my flights in Cessna's and  Warrior's and remembered that rough air affected them as well.

  

 In summary, I now use 15 degrees of flaps with 65-70 mph over the numbers  in rough air. A little "float" is easy to deal with. If anyone has found a  better approach, please share.

  

 Have a great day.

  

 Gary Pennington

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  ---

checkpoint2(at)comcast.ne
Guest

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:02 am Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

Greetings, Fly in info is great but safety and the P.O.H numbers

allows one to arrive in style. Bob Haas N330BH.



--

Larzfromarz

Joined: 18 Oct 2006
Posts: 11

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:22 am Post subject: Re: Newsletter safety articles

I think Linda has a point. But we should also put safety first for ourselves and for others. A nice compromise is to dwell on the wealth of knowledge and safety for the "type" coming from folks like Buz and Earl and Nick.

If the overall scope remains on the Lightning and how we can become better with it then go for it.

While I am not an alarmist I also follow several other groups and am getting concerned about certain rumblings regarding the TSA and other agencies within the Gov't and the application of regulations. While these conversations often unwind in to the politico it is important for us to stay abreast of these types of developments. Surely forums are a great place to get these kinds of things off our chests but perhaps a section of the newsletter (ie; National Rifleman and NRA) that may mention developments, or links to pertinent information would help to remind folks that there are people trying to take away your freedom (and remember flying private aircraft is a privilege like driving, not a right).

We have long seen the assault on the Second Amendment, rights that are granted by the Constitution of this United States, if the Gov't wants to stop you from flying what is really stopping them????

Sorry not trying to "stir the pot" on this one but we need to be careful.



Larry Romig

pequeajim

Joined: 03 Sep 2006
Posts: 708
Location: New Holland, PA

Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2009 7:46 am Post subject: Newsletter safety articles

I personally think the newsletter is getting a bit too large for what newsletters are really intended for.  Adding a blurb on safety is great, but this is a tremendous amount of work every month and our newsletter is turning into more a magazine, not the 5-6 page newsletter that it should be.  

  

Now having said that, I am very appreciative of all the great work that Buz, Linda, and others have done to produce this publication, but it is a very large effort.  Adding safety articles would be great if we could limit them to a quarter page or less, but I think that this probably will not be the case and the publication will get even larger.  

  

The real question is how can we focus on reducing the amount of content in the newsletter while maintaining the quality that we are used to seeing? 

  [quote][b]

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