Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe wrote:
"Tman" wrote in message
...
Ever try _PARTIAL_ panel flight without visual reference?

Nope

I mean no gyros at all, only the mag compass and pitot/static
instruments.
Fortunately, it would take a crazy failure mode to put one into this
predicament -- but it could happen -- think about the effects of a
firewall-forward fire that destroys the master switch and the vacuum
pump plumbing.

It has happened.

Plus not all aircraft have gyros to begin with.


Anyways it is real tough, but possible -- just keep saying ANDS and
South leads North lags, etc to yourself!


The experts suggest that it is best to just point south wher the compass
at least swings in the right directon when you turn. How you manage to
get pointed south to begin with is left as an excercise for the reader.

Other things I have heard of:

Benign spiral - some aircraft can be left to their own devices - just
hang out flaps, gear, whatever you have and let go. Most authorities
recommend trying it in visual conditions in your particular aircraft first.

Spin. And hope there is enough visual altitude under the clouds.

GPS heading - works if your airspeed is high compared to wind speed.
Doesn't work, for example, in a sailplane flying in wave where the
ground speed can be near zero.

Fly straight down (or thereabouts). Heard of a guy that did this in a
twin (a spin was not an option in this aircraft). Gear out, flaps down,
props flat. Bent the airplane, but it remained in one piece. I also
personally know another guy who did this in an acro biplane - no damage
in this case.

By guess and by gosh - chances are you will end up in the good old
"graveyard spiral". So when speed, noise, and G's start building try to
stop the turn with a random application of alieron - if you guess right,
things quiet down. If it gets worse, you guessed wrong - try the other
way. I read an account of someone who got out of the soup this way.

But as I understand it, most likely you will end up dead (at least in
real life - I find thing a lot easier when playing a computer game)