Flight Forum

Control-surface failure ("Losing Control: Compensating for Failed Flight Controls," June AOPA Flight Training) is an extremely important subject. As with any in-flight emergency the outcome is directly related to how prepared the pilot is for such an emergency. Emergencies are certainly no time for checking manuals or analyzing the situation for a remedy. Who among us has ever received any training on how to handle jammed, or otherwise errant, primary controls? In all my training right up to CFI no instructor ever brought it up.

Recently I read an article in one of the aviation publications by a flight instructor who had just experienced a fully jammed elevator in the up position while performing a stall with a student in a Cessna 172. In spite of all the physical effort they applied, it stayed jammed. To his credit, the pilot managed to land the aircraft safely - no simple task. The control column had jammed on the thin copper tube that goes between the vacuum pump and the vacuum pressure gauge. A new gauge had been installed a few days earlier.

The very next morning as my student was preflighting my Piper Arrow he called from the cockpit to tell me that the yoke had jammed in the full-up elevator position! Some work had been done to the avionics, and inspecting under the panel revealed - you guessed it - the yoke stuck on the copper tubing leading to the vacuum gauge. It had evidently been pushed out of the way during the avionics work.

The pilot who saved the Cessna later simulated the jammed elevator condition airborne and realized that trimming for nose up would have helped. Think about it - Jeff Pardo, author of the AOPA Flight Training article, did. By trimming nose-up the 172's trim tab would extend down into the airstream, thereby giving some nose-down pitch.

From now on, all my students will receive training for control problems, as well as a copy of Pardo's article.

Vince D'Angelo
Naples, Florida

Overcoming Apprehension

The truth comes out in Budd Davisson's article ("Overcoming Apprehension," June AOPA Flight Training). The sum of all fears is directly prescribed in this article, in an excellent fashion. It's one issue not too many pilots want to discuss, but one we all feel. Every pilot varies with experience, and our personal minimums are different. If we choose to become pilots then we must carry out our duties and should no longer act as passengers. I guess that's why I have a hard time flying on an airliner; I need to be at the controls knowing what's going on.

No matter what reason is keeping you away from a plane, get up there, get help, and seek advice. Be safe, have fun, and don't do anything you don't feel comfortable doing. As usual Davisson did another fine job.

Chad M. King
Syracuse, New York

Questioning Parachute Need

I really enjoyed reading Ken Medley's "Instructor Report: Teaching the Stall/Spin Safely" (June AOPA Flight Training); however, at the end of the article he states that authorized instructors can "give spin training to any level of pilot certification without parachutes."

Since spin training is not a requirement for a private pilot certificate, referring to FAR 91.307(d)(1), is it really authorized to any level of pilot certification?

William A. Rogers
Clearwater, Florida

Medley's statement was based on the FAA chief counsel's interpretation of FAR 91.307: "A CFI and his student are excepted from the parachute requirement for only those maneuvers which are required by the regulations for any certificate or rating, even one not presently sought by the student." The opinion may be found in Federal Aviation Regulations Explained by Kent S. Jackson and Joseph T. Brennan, published by Jeppesen. - Ed.

Untimely Departure

Flying and in particular aviation writing lost a rising star in April with David Montoya's death from an untimely heart attack. Montoya soloed me in 1998 and signed me off for my private pilot checkride in May 1999. I spent many hours getting ground instruction, often taking off with the sun already set to practice steep turns and stalls over the San Francisco Bay, perhaps stopping at Concord or Napa for touch and goes before returning to land at Oakland. His flight instruction gave me confidence to fly in Class C airspace and imparted much wisdom. I picked up your June issue and found myself engrossed in Montoya's article on aeronautical charts.

I hope that he's cleared direct to the flight levels.

Leo O'Farrell
Via the Internet

We, too, were shocked and saddened to learn of Montoya's passing. He had completed three additional articles that we will publish as scheduled, including one in this issue. His contributions will be missed. - Ed.