Ron Lee
Well Known Member
Rather than have my review of the Smoking Airlines system become a thread on uses, it makes more sense to discuss uses/benefits here.
Initially I was going to use it when ATC called out traffic (usually never seen) plus during flights when smoke would be beneficial for ground based observers.
Then two other uses were mentioned:
1) During departure/arrival to an airport when other aircraft have not found you yet.
2) To help form up when aircraft are miles apart (such as arriving from different starting points).
Today, just days after my smoke system became operational, I had my first valid use. I had taken off after two other RVs with the intent to get some performance data. When I heard the other RVs discussing the worse than usual turbulence, I changed plans and decided to try to find them.
I headed north and waited until they were headed south. Several seconds of smoke and they found me right away. I did not see them (about 1500' lower) until they told me I was overhead, turned left and saw them.
No discussing distance and heading to our airport. They had me far quicker than the way we normally try to join up.
Then during the overhead approach I looked down and saw a nice shadow from the smoke.
The only negative is that another RV pilot was driving and saw me and thought that the plane with the smoke was a Yak.
Initially I was going to use it when ATC called out traffic (usually never seen) plus during flights when smoke would be beneficial for ground based observers.
Then two other uses were mentioned:
1) During departure/arrival to an airport when other aircraft have not found you yet.
2) To help form up when aircraft are miles apart (such as arriving from different starting points).
Today, just days after my smoke system became operational, I had my first valid use. I had taken off after two other RVs with the intent to get some performance data. When I heard the other RVs discussing the worse than usual turbulence, I changed plans and decided to try to find them.
I headed north and waited until they were headed south. Several seconds of smoke and they found me right away. I did not see them (about 1500' lower) until they told me I was overhead, turned left and saw them.
No discussing distance and heading to our airport. They had me far quicker than the way we normally try to join up.
Then during the overhead approach I looked down and saw a nice shadow from the smoke.
The only negative is that another RV pilot was driving and saw me and thought that the plane with the smoke was a Yak.
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