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Flying low

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Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:28 pm

Re: Flying low

It's not how close you get to the ground, it's how precise you fly the airplane.

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Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:20 pm

Re: Flying low

Nosedragger wrote:It's not how close you get to the ground, it's how precise you fly the airplane.



Listen from 1:38 to 1:55
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Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:27 pm

Re: Flying low

A lot of proselytizing going on here, eh denalipilot.

Cheers
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Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:34 pm

Re: Flying low

RobBurson wrote:A lot of proselytizing going on here, eh denalipilot.

Cheers


OK, I guess I'm some what of a dipshit. I had to look up "proselytizing".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proselytism
From Wikipedia:
Proselytizing is the act of attempting to convert people to another opinion and, particularly, another religion. The word proselytize is derived ultimately from the Greek language prefix 'πρός' (toward) and the verb 'ηλυτος' (went). Historically in the Koine Greek Septuagint and New Testament, the word proselyte denoted a gentile who was considering conversion to Judaism. Though the word proselytism originally referred to Early Christianity (and earlier Gentiles), it also refers to other religions' attempts to convert people to their beliefs or even any attempt to convert people to another point of view, religious or not. Today, the connotations of proselytizing are often negative and the word is commonly used to describe attempts to force people to convert.
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Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:44 pm

Re: Flying low

By the end of this thread, the high will be low, and the low will be high.

Image
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Mon Mar 28, 2011 7:46 pm

Re: Flying low

RobBurson wrote:
Nosedragger wrote:It's not how close you get to the ground, it's how precise you fly the airplane.



Listen from 1:38 to 1:55


Pretty good summary. I read a book once where it talked about Hoover practicing and practicing above the clouds using the cloud deck as his ground reference. He never did anything low that he hadn't perfected at a safe altitude.
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Mon Mar 28, 2011 10:08 pm

Re: Flying low

nmflyguy wrote:
motoadve wrote:As a low time pilot myself, I understand the cables, towers and obstacles being a risk.
But when people talk about engine failure, why is it ok to fly IFR in a single engine plane,and engine failure is not taken into account as much.
I think it would be as dangerous or even more an engine failure at imc than at low altitude VFR.



What's nice about threads like these - even if they result in some anger or posturing or scolding - is that you get to hear a lot of different and often clashing perspectives about things you may never have thought much about. If I only hear stuff I agree with, then I'm not learning anything. I've learned some good stuff from this thread, and I expect you have too.


I agree, and thanx for the wide range of opinions and experiences shared. I have learned a lot in this thread and it has caused me to examine some of my own decisions, some related to low flight, others related to other aspects of safe flying.
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 11:22 am

Re: Flying low

Nosedragger wrote:It's not how close you get to the ground, it's how precise you fly the airplane.



The precision required to safely fly an aircraft is inversely proportionate to its height above the ground. The closer you get to the edge of the sky, the more dangerous it gets and the more precision it takes to do it safely.
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 12:30 pm

Re: Flying low

motoadve wrote:why is it ok to fly IFR in a single engine plane,and engine failure is not taken into account as much.



Because they talk like Mr. Howell on Gilligan's Island...
and they fly like he does in the movie "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World"

(actually, the stunt pilot who flew that Beech thru the sign was my first flight instructor)
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 1:38 pm

Re: Flying low

For anyone that thumps their chest




Gump
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 2:08 pm

Re: Flying low

Here's flying low like not even any of us do it.....right?

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Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:22 pm

Re: Flying low

Hey Gump,

I started this thread at the end and caught a reference to trim for low flight and had to read three pages back to find it and it was you.

I actually trim the other way, I set a bit of down trim so I have to hold up all the time. The reason I do so is that most problems at low level seem to be distraction (moose) and getting too slow, stalling and falling with a big bang at the end. I figure I will notice the ground coming up EVERY time but may not notice the speed bleed off and stall the plane.

What say you to that Master YODA??

Shane
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:30 pm

Re: Flying low

Nosedragger wrote:It's not how close you get to the ground, it's how precise you fly the airplane.



Did you notice his R main gear sagging a bit on the shots from the tail (00:53 mark)...that has to hurt his glide performance.
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 3:50 pm

Re: Flying low

lowflybye wrote:
Nosedragger wrote:It's not how close you get to the ground, it's how precise you fly the airplane.



The precision required to safely fly an aircraft is inversely proportionate to its height above the ground. The closer you get to the edge of the sky, the more dangerous it gets and the more precision it takes to do it safely.


So its NOT how close to the ground you get, but HOW you get close to the ground?
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 5:16 pm

Re: Flying low

shorton wrote:Hey Gump,

What say you to that Master YODA??

Shane


Don't sweat the petty things, but don't pet the sweaty things!!!

Gump
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Tue Mar 29, 2011 7:29 pm

Re: Flying low

Low Flying is like your wife's sister- Looks like fun-=BAD= idea
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 8:18 am

Re: Flying low

Airspeed, altitude and brains. Two of these are always necessary to successfully complete the mission - Basic Flight Training Manual
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 9:35 am

Re: Flying low

I am thinking it is something that needs to be practiced. Especially if you have routes you follow frequently.
If you ever miss read the weather and are forced down low, it is a little late to be practising.
Flying low as a daily practice it is a little different story.
GJ
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Wed Mar 30, 2011 3:20 pm

Re: Flying low

Don't sweat the petty things, but don't pet the sweaty things!!!

Gump


EWWWWW :mrgreen: that sounds nasty
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Fri Apr 22, 2011 9:45 pm

Re: Flying low

Flying low and slow is a lot of fun but is something one should not do with others with you. Remember there life is in your hands. What one dose with them self is another matter. I fly alone and for the most part I do fly low. A flock of Birds are the biggest hazard when flying low along the coast. Bridges and power lines are a big hazard. Your in them sometimes before you see them. Turns at slow speeds and low altitude is the biggest killer. Rising terrain is something to think about. Flying along a river one can get boxed in. Know your plane and fly the route before flying low. Your the pilot in command what you do is up to you. Dont push your luck. Be safe and have fun..
Ken in Alaska
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