![]() |
If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
![]()
Peter Ashwood-Smith C-GZRO wrote:
Andrew, do you compensate for density altitude when you define your gates? An interesting fact, which is not obvious to many folks, including some aerobatic pilots (judging by the number of loop into the ground accidents) is that the radius of any turn, up, down, sideways or whatever, is a function of the square of TRUE airspeed, which is of course a function of density altitude and calibrated airspeed. So, if the density altitude increases your true airspeed by 5mph, you get a 5mph^2 impact on your radius. This kind of change in radius can ruin your day if you are playing down near the dirt. This velocity^2 thing is also why the reverse cuban or loop down is a real killer. If you start the pull with X knots too many, you will use X^2 more radius for the 1/2 loop, throw in an increase in TAS of say Y due to density altitude and you are into (X+Y)^2 more radius ... not good. If you have not left margin either in terms of available G or altitude you are either gonna high speed stall on the way down (and hit the ground) or hit it on the arc. This sort of question is on the ICAS exam now if I'm not mistaken. Peter Hence the reason I asked the question. Thank you, Andrew and Peter. The original ICAS/FAA ACE proposal required a PhD in Aeronautics and computational fluid dynamics software to answer the questions. Fortunatly, the program was changed and common sense prevailed. Sadly, there are still many acro pilots out there who have no understanding of how density altitude affects their flight and refuse to be educated. |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
AOPA Stall/Spin Study -- Stowell's Review (8,000 words) | Rich Stowell | Aerobatics | 28 | January 2nd 09 02:26 PM |
Accelerated spin questions | John Harper | Aerobatics | 7 | August 15th 03 07:08 PM |