john smith wrote:

In article ,
Matt Whiting wrote:


stiction


The what???

Commonly used term for static friction. Static friction is generally
higher than dynamic friction. It is what makes moving mechanisms take
more force to get moving than to keep moving. Makes for jerky controls
and makes very find control adjustments difficults. Cessnas rarely have
this problem, but the Pipers I've flown with those fat control columns
seem very prone to stiction. It makes it hard to do a smooth flare for
instance. You apply back pressure ... and nothing happens. A little
more pressure ... still nothing. A little more pressure ... and the
controls "break free" and you get a 1/2" of control motion.

Often when flying Pipers I know slowly "pump" the controls during the
flare. One of the aviation columnists recently wrote about using this
technique and the advantages of it. I never needed it much in my 182 as
I could gradually pull back the wheel in it. The Arrow isn't nearly as
smooth and a low amplitude, high frequency "pumping" of the wheel tends
to allow smoother arrivals at closer to stall speed.


Matt