"Bill Daniels" wrote in message
news:GILld.337003$wV.41042@attbi_s54...

The most successful high-drag device is a Shempp-Hirth trailing edge dive
brake. The half span flaps go to 80 degrees down and a surface of equal
span and width rotates up from the upper wing surface on the same hinge
line
as the flaps. This results in a surface twice the chord of the flaps at
right angles to the airflow. The effect is dramatic. Several pilots have
had police meet them on the ground after landing to investigate the
'crash'.

The view from the cockpit is scary at first. The nose is so far down that
it looks like a 'lawn dart' maneuver. Precision spot landings are very
easy
when you get the hang of it. Just aim the nose at the touch down spot.
If
you see you are long, just push the nose further down - the airspeed won't
increase. The flare has to be timed right but the feel is very slow and
"floaty" with a soft touchdown and short roll. You get the feeling that
you
could land on a 'postage stamp'.

Bill Daniels


Though off the subject. The approach described above is similar to that
experienced in sailplanes that depend solely on large span flaps. (SGS 1-35,
PIK-20B and the Schreder HP/RS/RHJ series.) For example, a Schreder HP-14's
40:1 glide ratio is decreased to 2:1 when the flaps are lowered to 90
degrees. This gives an approach angle of 30 degrees which requires the nose
to be 45 degrees below the horizon. It takes some getting use to; however,
once mastered it makes short field landings "a piece of cake".

See:
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/HP...NG_THE_14.html
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/St..._HP_flight.htm
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Large-span_flaps.html
(Other stories can be found at:
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Sc...e_Stories.html)

Wayne
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder