Many Loss Of Control Accidents Are Related To An Engine Failure; When Did You Last Practice Gliding?

It’s common to see loss of control accidents after an engine failure, particularly at low altitude, because the pilot was not able to establish a glide and was not aware of how much altitude is lost while making a gliding turn. The glide should be a simple maneuver but is not often practiced, and when ineptly performed, can place a pilot in a loss of control situation. Here are some tips from an experienced instructor who teaches pilots how to test fly home built airplanes.

First, it’s important to know, or to have a close idea of, what the best glide speed is for your aircraft. Some aircraft flight manuals provide a best glide speed (it may vary a bit with weight) and others don’t. If a best glide speed for your aircraft is not published, it’s been commonly accepted that it’s probably somewhere between your best angle of climb speed (Vx) and your best rate of climb speed (Vy).

Here are some thoughts for tuning up your gliding skills. For the sake of practice, pick an altitude that will allow you to glide for about 1000 feet of descent and still remain at least 1500 feet above the ground.

Reduce the engine to idle (Use proper engine management procedures) and establish the proper glide speed while carefully noting what the pitch attitude looks like. Start at a known altitude, and time how long it takes you to lose 1000 feet while gliding in straight flight. A number of accidents can be attributed to the pilot simply not knowing how long the airplane can stay up from a given altitude in a glide.

It’s also important to know how much altitude you lose in a gliding turn. Once again, throttle back and establish glide speed at a known altitude. Then perform a 360 degree turn at a medium bank (25-30 degrees) and measure how much altitude you lose. After recording this number, do the same maneuver at the same glide speed but take the bank to about 45 degrees. Once again, note the altitude lost to do the 360. By knowing the number for the 360 degree turn, it’s easy to estimate the altitude loss for a lesser turn.

Remember, when you are gliding, airspeed control is a function of pitch control. The pitch angle to maintain the best glide speed will be different in straight flight and turning flight.

By simply practicing these maneuvers at a safe altitude, you will get better at it and have an improved idea of how to handle your airplane in a real emergency. If you don’t feel comfortable practicing these maneuvers on your own, find a CFI or experienced pilot to fly with you. A safety pilot could also be handy to keep a lookout for other traffic and to take notes.

(Image from NTSB publication)

FMI:FAA Airplane Flying Handbook