Scott Covey
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« on: October 25, 2009, 06:54:08 AM » |
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Let's define "The Outside Wing" as the wing that is always away from you when you make a pass from either direction. You will note that it can be either wing - depending on which direction you are heading. There is one thing you must remember - if you can't see, at least, the outside wing tip, your wings are not level. How much of the outside wing depends on if you are flying a low wing, or a mid wing, plane. If you only see the inboard wing tip, or underside of the inboard wing, more than likely your wings are not level. Pattern is 50% "Z" distance, and 40% maneuver geometry. The other 10% is, what I will call, "flow" - constant speed, all radii the same, the pattern flows from one maneuver to the next. Try this, coming out of ANY turnaround maneuver, and keep the outside wing low - so low it's way off (too low) and you head out away from yourself. Then start to refine this 'outward flight' so the plane actually fly's parallel with the runway after the turnaround maneuver. This will help keep the "Z" distance constant. Also, watch the heights of the entry and exit on all maneuvers - yes, some turn-around maneuvers don't need be the same entry and exit heights, but if they are, your pattern will look better.
Try the above, your pattern flying will improve.
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