Thanks again for the comments guys. I had recommended Sparky's books a while ago. And after he told me about this episode, we talked about it again. I think he pretty much ordered Sparky's complete works a couple of days ago. As for knowing the plane, since it is a plane we both have a part ownership ship in, and I fly it frequently, I think I have that part covered.

I seem to know that guy…

Good point 58 Skyland about down drainage egress. Good point Bumper about how to fly downdrafts and updrafts, especially in low powered airplane (most single engine at high DA.) Good point about DA MTV and all, especially in heat of day.

Marc wrote:

88H wrote: Sparky Imeson's book: Taildragger Tactics and Mountain Flying to your friend.

Quick question. Is there much difference in material between the two books? I have the Mountain Flying Bible and often consider getting Taildragger Tactics, but when I've gotten books from the same author/source in the past it seems like there is typically the same information in a different format with very little new material. Are Sparky's books similar or is there plenty of different information between the books?

Always an interesting comment about how the mountain flying books overlap.

I have read every mountain flying and taildragger tactics book I could find. And absolutely there is a lot of repeated material, “rules of thumb” and calculations for conditions, but if you get even one new item from the 5th, 6th or 7th book on the same topic you read it may very well save your life.

Read them all!

I keep this laminated in my cockpit to use.

Take-Off and Landing Calculations

Density Altitude
3% loss of performance per 1000’ DA

Headwind
A wind of 15mph will decrease Landing Distance by 10%

Tailwind - Add 10% landing roll for every 3mph tailwind ~10mph Maximum~

Gradient Effect on Landing
Each 1% of slope will effect about 3% of landing distance
Each 1% of gradient is about equal to 10% change in effective runway length

Unimproved Strips
Add 20-30% for Long Grass (longer than 4”)
Add 45% for Sand
Add 20-75% for Mud or Soft Surface depending upon severity

71% of Vr speed should be reached by the mid-point of the runway

Gross Weight
1% increase in Gross Weight will increase Take-Off about 2%


Pressure Altitude - Set Altimeter to 29.92” and read Altimeter for PA

Density Altitude
Loss of 3% power for every 1000’ above Sea Level
1000’ increase in DA will increase Take-Off distance by 8 - 8.5%
Decreased Rate of Climb 7-8% per 1000’ above Sea Level for Fixed Pitch
Decreased Rate of Climb 6-8% per 1000’ above Sea Level for Constant Speed

Calculating Density Altitude
Example:
Pressure Altitude = 5000
Temperature = 30*C
Standard Temperature at 5000’ = 5*C
Rule of thumb to Calculate Density Altitude -
Altitude of 5000’ + (120 x 25)
Each 1*C variation from Standard Temperature equals about 120’
25 being the Temperature differential
In this case the DA is: 5000 + 3000 = 8000’ Density Altitude


And I also carry a rangefinder in lieu of pacing off the length of a strip and the mid-point (abort point)

Yes I am overly cautious.