Letters

Bob Schmelzer’s article “Down and Dirty” in the February issue of Flight Training was an excellent refresher for anyone on the nuances of soft-field takeoffs and techniques. My one hesitation as I pass on Schmelzer’s gem of an article is

the example he used of departing a runway after a thunderstorm, “that has left several large areas of standing water on your planned departure runway.” Regardless of the runway surface, standing water will decrease the acceleration of any aircraft. If said standing water is not uniformly distributed on the runway, there is a potential for directional control issues that may surprise a student pilot or newly minted private pilot. In addition, standing water can significantly increase the potential hydroplaning and/or directional control problems in the event of a takeoff abort or landing (should a pilot have to immediately return for an emergency).

Chris Pedersen
Newbury Park, California

Lights off

I enjoy your magazine and strongly suggest to my students that they read it. I do not always agree with everything but that is good; debate makes good learning. But I really have problems with Jeff Pardo’s article, “Light ’Em Up” (March Flight Training) on lights where he says to use strobes while taxiing at night. If someone can’t see you moving with a beacon maybe they should not be flying. I have had my night vision screwed up by people taxiing with strobes on and it takes a good 15 minutes to get it back.

David Burton, CFI
Pittsgrove, New Jersey

You move me

I just read Greg Brown’s “Flying Carpet: Airplane For Sale” column (see March Flight Training) and was deeply touched by the way he crafted his words to tell about Phil Role’s love of flying, how it began, and how it continues. Even with his discouraging medical situation, he has not let that stop him. Brown did a masterful sales job, also, of portraying the Comanche as such a wonderful “magic carpet,” bringing Phil closer to his family and work, and exposing him to unique sights and the majesty of our beautiful country. Brown certainly stirred up thoughts of all that my Comanches have done for me and my family in giving us such sights, and time and travel advantages we could experience only by having our own airplane.

Glenn Plymate
Independence, Oregon

Tough turns

The “Turns Around a Point” article (see April Flight Training) states, “The steepest angle of bank will be downwind” and you are absolutely right, if you mean when the airplane is going downwind. Unfortunately, students often think the instructor means when the airplane is downwind of the point. The illustration with the article seems to show this also. Rather than saying when the airplane is downwind, we instructors should say, “In a turn around a point, the angle of bank is directly proportional to the groundspeed.” This would teach the student that when he/she has a higher groundspeed they should have a steeper angle of bank—and not that a steep bank when downwind of the point will somehow keep them from drifting away from the point.

Dan M. Kenley, CFI
Abilene, Texas

Editor’s note: Dan is absolutely correct. We erred when describing the steepest bank and showing it at the crosswind position. Flight Training regrets the error.