Ham said:Thanks Doug. Very useful. I also found this on your Forum; from Dayton Murdoch's RV-4 POH:
Ditching in water - Life jackets to be worn for Sea Crossing
Ditching Procedure
Always Check DIRECTION OF SWELL and WIND
Turn towards LAND/SHIPPING
Trim .......................BEST GLIDE 71 Kts
Plan landing...................ALONG SWELL
OR
No Swell..............INTO WIND
Check Failure...ATTEMPT CORRECTION
Radio....................................MAYDAY
Engine............Shut Down Procedure
Harnesses................................TIGHT
Cabin Latch...UNLOCK. NOT OPEN
Final Approach. Master OFF
NO FLAP SELECTED (Pitches DOWN)
HOLD OFF ?SPLASH? TAIL DOWN
Leaving Aircraft
Seat Belts...............Release
Canopy.................Open
Exit onto Wing
Inflate Life Jacket
No, not really. It's the same for an engine out landing. The idea is to have the least "rate" of decent, rather than the slowest speed. With the flaps out in an RV, you are dropping pretty good. There's more downward motion to dissipate with a higher rate decent, and that's the jolt your body will take. Forward motion will be dissipated by friction and the airframe shedding parts.Brian130 said:Wouldn't approach flaps be preferrable to allow a slower entry speed. That's how the Navy teaches it in Beech 90s and 200s (for what it's worth). I know the speeds aren't the same in RVs, but we have to enter 10 kts faster if we are no-flap. Same VSI, slower airspeed seems to be preferrable. Also, don't forget the transponder. Give TRACON a visual reference of where you are. 7700 might save you and that's quicker maybe than trying to explain where you are.