You spin me round
I'm an older student pilot who has been struggling with landing and several maneuvers. I read Ralph Butcher's "Insights: 36-Degree Steep Turns" (July AOPA Flight Training), which I've tried several times with marginal success. Yesterday, I went out with my instructor and tried Butcher's method of steep turns. I was totally amazed at how well I did. I came out of the turns within 50 feet of my starting altitude. Thanks for the help. Does Butcher have any good tips for landings, which is my biggest challenge?
By the way, I like his style of writing; he doesn't use any more words than required to get his point across. Perhaps Mr. Butcher took the USAF course on writing the spoken language.
- John Donkus
Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
How did you do that?
The photo on the cover of the July 2009 issue is striking ("Boing! No More Bounces, Skips, or Balloons"). At first glance I assumed this was an airplane near touchdown with a stiff crosswind correction. However, the ailerons and rudder both appear to be neutral. What is the story behind this photo?
- Michael Voelker
Pulaski, Wisconsin
Photographer Chris Rose responds: Because photos capture an image in a fraction of a second, one image can be startlingly different than the next, which is what happened here. I asked the pilot to make a low pass and then pull up after he was at my position next to the runway. As he did that he rocked the wings and leveled them again. What you saw was the instant the control surfaces were neutral. Photos before and after the selected image show the rudder deflected. As far as the ailerons go, this is a Cessna 172 and only the flaps are shown on the wings.
Thanks for the help
One and a half months ago I started taking flight lessons and found a free six-month subscription to your magazine too hard to pass up. Am I ever glad I picked it up! I haven't read a magazine cover to cover in years. I read every advertisement and every article. I have read your magazine twice and I can tell you that your articles are right in line with what is going through my head. You also had me searching the Internet for about two hours on that Sky Arrow 600 Sport airplane (see "Small Planes, Big Fun," June AOPA Flight Training). That looks like fun.
- Jeff Krueger
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
More on Sully
I agree with Wayne Phillips that those of us in the profession should always try to promote and improve the profession, as does Captain Sullenberger (see "Career Pilot: A Letter to Sully," May AOPA Flight Training). I have read that Captain Sullenberger has been very active in his union's training and safety organizations over the years, and I am not surprised to hear this. This is perhaps one of the most effective ways a professional pilot can help advance the most critical issues we face each day that we fly the line.
Sullenberger's comments about what the industry has become are right on target. Tragically, the sleeping issue of pilot mills and unscrupulous airline managements that field woefully inexperienced cockpit crews was brought home in the recent Colgan crash in Buffalo, New York.
- Captain Steve Roach
El Dorado Hills, California
Errata
"One-Two Punch" (July 2009 AOPA Flight Training) was incorrectly attributed to Christopher Parker. The article's author was Chip Wright. Capt. Jonathan Sawyer was incorrectly identified as a first officer ("Success Story," August 2009 AOPA Flight Training).
AOPA Flight Training regrets the errors.
We appreciate your comments. Letters must include your name and address. E-mail letters to [email protected] or mail to AOPA Flight Training, 421 Aviation Way, Frederick, Maryland 21701. Letters may be edited and will be printed as space permits.
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