Ram1 posted 12-04-98 11:19 AM ET (US)

Been asked a few times in MA how I turn a Spit so tight and how I do a tail slide. So I thought I'd share my methods. Use at your own risk

Turning the Spit any series: The tightest turn I can make in Spit seem to occur between 200-250IAS. I usually never flat turn but point my nose up, do a 1/4 to 1/2 roll (depends on what I'm trying to accomplish) and then pull back on stick to start the turn and then give rudder. I find that this gets me around faster then any other technique that I've tried. In addition, I like to turn to the right, against the torque (except for Spit 14). Don't ask me why I do this, its just more comfortable and for some reason it tends to catch others by surprise.

So this move is most like a low speed Hi Yo Yo if I had to put any technical name to it.

Tail Slide: Well this is not real useful in the arena unless you are trying to hammerhead and not slide but in any event the process is similar for both. In my case I go vertical at any speed and use rudder to offset the torque. Now if I want to tail slide I just hold the plane on its prop to 0 IAS using rudder to keep it stable, it will eventually slide back on its tail before it flips over and then you will be in a controlled spin for a few seconds. I know I'm sliding back because when I use smoke I can see myself sliding back into the smoke stream.

Now if I wanted to Hammerhead, then I would do the same thing, but as I approach 50IAS I would cut throttle (to eliminate the torque) and then use rudder to stall the wing on either side, depending on which way I wanted to go. Then once I flipped over the wing I would restart my engine.

Anyway, whether these are the right techniques or not, this is how I do it. I find these techniques work for me in any T&B plane.

Remember your mileage may vary when doing these. Hope some of you find this useful.

=ram1= XO 901st Immortals

Rafter posted 12-04-98 11:38 AM ET (US)

Good post ram.

I concur. It may not be perfect, by-the-book technique but those things work for me.

Rafter F/L

401 RCAF Rams

www.401rams.ml.org

contributor RTB www.ogr.com/warbirds

 

Gryf posted 12-04-98 12:10 PM ET (US)

:Now if I wanted to Hammerhead, then I would do the same thing, but as I approach 50IAS I would cut throttle (to eliminate the torque) and then use rudder to stall the wing on either side, depending on which way I wanted to go. Then once I flipped over the wing I would restart my engine.

Hmm, I don't suppose I have ever stalled an AC doing a Hammerhead. I keep the AC manuverable and use the rudder to move the tail around. Learned this from an Acrobatic pilot who has graciously allowed me to accompany him on several trips. I imgine if you stall it you would have a partial departure. How easy is it to recover raml? I'll have to try it and see.

Michael Weber

=Gryf=

CO Rogue Gryffons

Ram1 posted 12-04-98 01:21 PM ET (US)

It was very easy to recover. fd-ski and I did it in the training arena the other night about 2-4 times. So for me its pretty repeatable and an easy recovery.

ram1

paarma posted 12-04-98 03:15 PM ET (US)            

Hmm, I don't suppose I have ever stalled an AC doing a Hammerhead. I keep the AC manuverable and use the rudder to move the tail around. Learned this from an Acrobatic pilot who has graciously allowed me to accompany him on several trips

Well, you are the trainer, me a trainee.. But still, what I have always thought about these is that

1) In hammerhead, the wing IS stalled, plane's speed is near 0 in minimum (wing must be stalld at that speed)

2) If the wing does not stall, and the plane actually *flies* (and do not flip/drop), that's called wing over.

//paarma

worr posted 12-04-98 05:29 PM ET (US)            

Now if I wanted to Hammerhead, then I would do the same thing, but as I approach 50IAS I would cut throttle (to eliminate the torque) and then use rudder to stall the wing on either side....

Then this would not be a hammer head if you "use rudder to stall the wing on either side....that would be a wing over.

When you are pure vertical the wings are not creating lift...its thrust only that creats any lift. Hence its so important to be in the pure vertical (read ICMB out of the silo) for the move to work.

Worr, out