Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

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Aero-Tips 02.02.06

The pilot’s first warning came when the propeller began slicing into the pavement, followed by a ridiculously short landing slide. He’d forgotten to put the landing gear down. Why didn’t he hear the horn?

Defeated Warnings

Most retractable-gear airplanes have a landing gear warning horn. It’s designed to protect pilots from the sort of scenario described above. But there are traps where the warning horn will not sound even if the gear’s still up. How can this happen?

Most gear warning horns are wired to the physical position of the throttle control.  If the throttle is returned toward idle power and the gear is not down an intermittent horn sounds.  Some airplanes also have a panel-mounted annunciator light that flashes at the same time. (NOTE: In the aircraft model involved in the described mishap, the switch is supposed to engage when the throttle is in a position that provides about 12 inches of manifold pressure at sea level). The warning system only works if you reduce throttle to idle long enough before landing to hear and respond to the horn. 

Beware, then, possible landing scenarios where you might not bring the throttle fully to idle until just before touchdown, including:

1. Landing in strong or gusty winds.
2. Using power to “cushion” touchdown (a common “cheat” to get a squeaker landing).
3. Landing “hot” for any reason.
4. Landing “long” or aiming for a precise landing spot (think about aiming for the ‘dot’ at Oshkosh).
5. Level-off at Minimum Descent Altitude in a non-precision approach.
6. The circling portion of a circling approach.

The pilot in this instance was checking the operation of rebuilt flaps newly installed on his airplane, and carried extra power with full flaps extended before forgetting the landing gear.  Some newer airplanes also sound the horn if full flaps are selected and the gear’s not down—sadly, this was not one of them.

Aero-tip of the day:  Plan your approach to permit reducing throttle to idle before the flare.  Be especially careful to verify gear extension on final approach, especially if you’re doing something out of the ordinary.  Here’s much more information and data on Landing Gear-Related Mishaps.

FMI: Aero-Tips