David-aviator
Well Known Member
I try to fly every day, if for just an half hour, and today shot a 20 flap approach and landing to be doing something different.
It has been 40 flaps since day one with consistent results depending on pilot input. The airplane slows quickly in flare, after landing and it works just fine.
So why try 20 flaps? Why not?
The issue is deceleration with power at idle, in flare and on runway. With no wind it is an issue and the fixed pitch prop doesn't help at all. So 40 flaps works fine. But I find it usually takes some power on final to stay in visual slot, 40 flaps is all drag.
With 20 the aircraft will descend down glide path with almost no power, depending on wind of course. That's cool.
Today with 14 knot wind mostly down runway was good time to see how 20 flaps would work. It was ok, but did not slow up as quick as with 40. The aircraft is easier to control finding he runway as it is changing velocity slower, dropping a wing just a bit to get one wheel on works, a little forward stick to keep it there and let the other wheel touch. I guess it took 200 feet more distance to clear runway over same approach and landing yesterday with 40 flaps. Not sure about that as made the same turn off taxi way easily.
Years ago I owned a C-150. As everyone knows, it had barn door 40 flaps that made it fly like a brick, great for clearing trees on short runway. With no obstacles 20 flaps was normal for me as it simply flew more like and airplane.
It's not that pronounced with the 8, but the 8 does seem to fly better with 20 flaps rather than 40 on approach and landing.
It has been 40 flaps since day one with consistent results depending on pilot input. The airplane slows quickly in flare, after landing and it works just fine.
So why try 20 flaps? Why not?
The issue is deceleration with power at idle, in flare and on runway. With no wind it is an issue and the fixed pitch prop doesn't help at all. So 40 flaps works fine. But I find it usually takes some power on final to stay in visual slot, 40 flaps is all drag.
With 20 the aircraft will descend down glide path with almost no power, depending on wind of course. That's cool.
Today with 14 knot wind mostly down runway was good time to see how 20 flaps would work. It was ok, but did not slow up as quick as with 40. The aircraft is easier to control finding he runway as it is changing velocity slower, dropping a wing just a bit to get one wheel on works, a little forward stick to keep it there and let the other wheel touch. I guess it took 200 feet more distance to clear runway over same approach and landing yesterday with 40 flaps. Not sure about that as made the same turn off taxi way easily.
Years ago I owned a C-150. As everyone knows, it had barn door 40 flaps that made it fly like a brick, great for clearing trees on short runway. With no obstacles 20 flaps was normal for me as it simply flew more like and airplane.
It's not that pronounced with the 8, but the 8 does seem to fly better with 20 flaps rather than 40 on approach and landing.