EXERCISE 17A LOW FLYING
HOW THE EXERCISE APPLIES TO FLYING i. Low level navigation
ii. Precautionary landing.
iii. Bad weather circuit and landing.
2. PRINCIPLES INVOLVED
All the principles applicable to previous exercises, with the emphasis on:
1. NEWTON‟S LAWS
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2. EFFECT OF WIND i. Headwind.
ii. Tailwind.
iii. Crosswind.
iv. Wind shear.
v. Turbulence.
vi. Mountain waves.
3. SLOW SAFE CRUISING CONFIGURATION i. Airframe and engine limitations.
ii. Optimum speeds.
4. WEATHER CONSIDERATIONSS i. Precipitation.
ii. Icing.
iii. Visibility.
5. LOW FLYING MAP READING TECHNIQUE
3. DESCRIPTION OF AIR EXERCISE
a. APPLICABLE PROCEDURES AND CHECKLISTS b. AIRCRAFT HANDLING TECHNIQUES:-
DEMONSTRATION OBSERVATION
1. ACTIONS PRIOR TO DECENDING
i. Look out.
ii. Complete the following checks:
Fuel – contents, select fullest tank and not endurance.
Engine – power setting requirements, temperatures and pressures.
Instruments – Align D.I. with compass, QNH set on altimeter.
Radio – Call to ATC (if applicable) and nav aids set.
Security – Harness tight loose articles stowed.
2. DESCENDING TO MINIMUM SAFE ALTITUDE i. With reference to power settings and IAS, show student apparent increase in ground speed due to rapid movement of ground features past the aircraft.
3. EFFECT OF SPEED AND INERTIA This is ideally demonstrated in no-wind
conditions. Demonstrate at as high a speed as possible, consistent with safety.
i. From straight and level flight. i. Lookout.
ii. Establish required low flying configuration – engine and airframe.
iii. Select safe low flying altitude.
iv. Select prominent ground feature directly ahead of the aircraft, which the aircraft will be able to
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ii. During a turn.
clear safely (i.e. tree, windmill, etc.).
v. Aim the aircraft slightly to the right of the selected object and when at a suitable distance from the object, rapidly rotate the aircraft into the climbing attitude, applying climb power, keeping the object in sight.
vi. Note how the aircraft mushes towards the object, due to inertia, before climbing away.
i. Lookout.
ii. Establish required low flying configuration – engine and airframe.
iii. Select safe low flying altitude.
iv. Select prominent ground feature directly ahead of the aircraft, high the aircraft will be able to clear safely (i.e. windmill, tree, etc.).
v. Aim the aircraft slightly to one side of the object and when at a suitable safe distance from the object, simultaneously applying power while keeping the object in sight.
vi. Note how the aircraft mushes towards the object, due to inertia, before continuing in the new direction.
CONCLUSION: It will be necessary to take the effect of inertia into account when avoiding obstacles.
4. THE EFFECT OF WIND
i. Crosswind effect. i. Position the aircraft to track along a ground feature that is 90° to the wind.
ii. Note the drift angle is more clearly observed at lower levels.
iii. Note the aircraft‟s track over the terrain.
iv. Look out.
v. Commence a medium turn into wind and continue turning through 180° - balanced turn.
vi. Roll out parallel to the ground feature and note the aircraft‟s distance from it.
vii. Repeat the exercise, but commence the turn downwind. Roll out after 180° and note the aircraft‟s distance from the ground feature.
APPLICATION: When flying a bad weather circuit in crosswind conditions, apply the appropriate corrections to position the aircraft in the circuit pattern.
ii. Turning downwind. i. Head the aircraft directly into wind.
ii. Lookout.
iii. Commence a balanced medium turn through 180°.
iv. Visual contact with the ground gives the impression of slipping into the turn.
NOTE: Do not attempt to correct for the slip.
v. Roll out downwind and note the increased groundspeed for a constant indicated airspeed.
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NOTE: Do not reduce power.
iii. Turning into wind. i. Head the aircraft directly downwind.
ii. Look out.
iii. Commence a balanced medium turn through 180°.
iv. Visual contact with the ground gives an impression of “skidding out” during the turn.
NOTE: Do not attempt to correct the apparent skid.
v. Roll out into wind and note the reduced
groundspeed for a constant indicated airspeed.
CONCLUSION: It will be necessary to take the effect of drift into account when turning to avoid obstacles.
5. EFFECT OF TURBULENCE DURING LOW FLYING
i. More marked over uneven ground, trees, hills and near thunderstorms.
ii. Beware of strong downdrafts, as well as in the vicinity of thunderstorms.
iii. Whenever practical avoid possible areas of turbulence during low flying.
iv. Before or on encountering turbulence:
a. Repeat low flying checks.
b. Increase altitude if practical.
c. Counteract downdraft by increasing power.
d. In strong downdrafts where full power cannot counter the effect of the downdraft, turn out of the downdraft.
6. BAD WEATHER LOW FLYING
Whilst flying at medium level, describe to the student an assumed bed weather situation which will necessitate the demonstration of:
i. A simulated bad weather circuit and landing either at base or onto a suitable field.
ii. A precautionary landing.
i. Obtain ATC clearance (actual or simulated).
ii. Complete field approach checks.
iii. Approaching the circuit area, prepare the aircraft for slow safe cruising.
iv. Keep a good lookout and radio listening watch.
v. Join the circuit as instructed by ATC. At uncontrolled airfields or simulated landing areas, comply with the statutory radio and joining procedures.
vi. Position onto downwind, maintaining sight of the runway. Complete before landing checks.
vii. Maintain visual contact with the runway and commence a turn to position the aircraft onto final approach, from where the appropriate type of landing may be carried out.
i. Decide upon an appropriate landing area.
ii. Complete field approach checks.
iii. Follow procedures as described in Exercise 17B.
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c. CONSIDERATIONS OF AIRMANSHIP AND ENGINE HANDLING AIRMANSHIP
i. Look out – for terrain features and other aircraft.
ii. Trim aircraft nose up so that a slight forward pressure has to be maintained on control column. Should concentration lapse, aircraft will tend to fly up and away from the terrain.
iii. Maintain safe distance below base of low cloud (±100ft).
iv. Low flying checks.
v. Anticipation – plan ahead taking into consideration the effect of inertia and wind.
vi. Orientation – maintain an awareness of position at all times.
vii. Check the surrounding weather conditions continuously for possible deterioration.
viii. Comply with ATC requirements where applicable.
ix. Comply with low flying regulations.
ENGINE CONSIDERATIONS