Quote:
On 2002-06-15 23:12, JayUtah wrote:
I can ascend in a Piper Arrow, trim everything up, and the aircraft will fly straight and level without the benefit of an autopilot. If I turn the yoke, the aircraft banks. If I release the yoke, it snaps back to center (aerodynamic pressure on the control surfaces) and the aircraft will fairly quickly right itself.
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While the the yoke will return to center when released, and the ailerons will return to a neutral position, the aircraft will remain in a bank until the pilot takes positive action (a reversal of the ailerons) to correct it. And, while in a bank if there is no pitch up on the Arrow's stabilator the plane will enter a downward spiral at the speed it was trimmed for. This is the "death spiral" which has claimed many an inattentive IFR pilot.
I can't believe I was finally qualified to do that! [img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Great write up, Jay! I've started saving some of your stuff for my son to show his friends when this subject comes up,as it seems to do more and more among young people, unfortunately. I've said it before, your posts may not impress your target audience, but
I appreciate the time you spend on them!
<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: pvtpylot on 2002-06-16 01:49 ]</font>