The AOPA sponsors regional safety seminars that I always try and attend. Last night there was a two hour one on takeoffs and landings. The presentor did a real great job and the large room was packed. What was interesting was that right at the start he asked for a show of hands for those pilots that flew taildraggers. Maybe 5% of the room raised their hands. He then went on to say that there probably wasn't going to be much in the program for us because we knew how to use the rudder and were used to flying the aircraft at all times! Whew! What an indictment of general aviation!

There was a lot I got out of the seminar anyway. For example, for the period 1998 to 2006 there were a lot more accidents on landings than on takeoffs. BUT, there were a lot more fatalities on takeoffs than landings!

Another interesting point was made on the distances required to stop on takeoff at different speeds if you have to abort. I never really thought about that particular aspect before. The average GA aircraft is at rotation after using up 1,200 ft of runway and will require a least a 2,600 ft runway to stop. For me, and probably most of you, I am off ground in 400 to 500 ft. That means I have a lot more margin on most runways if I have to abort. A safety aspect I had not recognized.

There was a lot more info like this that I could plug back into my flying that was real interesting. A good seminar that I would recommend.

Energy and Mass

That seminar is coming up in a couple of weeks here in the Springs, I'm thinking of going since I've heard good stuff about it from different folks. I've never been to one of those things.

We had the same seminar back on the 17th.It was worthwhile but not really geared to those of us that are used to operating off the pavement.The presenter did fly in to my home strip in his 182.9B1 is 1650 ft with 50ft trees at one end and a chain link fence at the other.
Seminars are always worth attending.

Bill

Tadpole wrote:That seminar is coming up in a couple of weeks here in the Springs, I'm thinking of going since I've heard good stuff about it from different folks. I've never been to one of those things.

Let me know when that seminar comes up there in the Springs. I haven't seen anything scheduled for our area yet this fall.

As far as aborted takeoffs etc., when I took my tail wheel in a super cub we were doing four takeoffs and landing on the 9200 ft strip at AIA on each pass.

I believe in practicing most anything I might encounter such as engine out on takeoff, missed approaches, turn back to land at minimum altitude, engine out in the pattern or X number miles from the strip at X altitude. During the biannual I will get it right down to within 10ft or so of landing during a practice emergency engine out etc.. Practice tight and non pattern approaches at different altitudes and different wind speeds. I have even practiced dead stick landing from over 15 miles from the strip just to see if I could judge my altitude and speed over that distance.
We have a lot of emergency landing sites around here...they are called wheat fields. I realize other places your options are few and if the time comes...do what is best to save yourself, the airplane can be replaced.
As Bob Hoover is quoted "Fly the thing as far into the crash as you can".
It worked for me.
HC

hicountry wrote:Let me know when that seminar comes up there in the Springs. I haven't seen anything scheduled for our area yet this fall.

I got an email from them the other day.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008, starting at 7:00 pm

Radisson Hotel Colorado
1645 N. Newport Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80916

Received a flyer in the mail today, sounds like the seminar is coming to Portland on October 21.

Tuesday October 21st 7pm-9pm
Holiday Inn-Portland Airport
8439 NE Columbia Blvd.
Portland, OR