News Flash: You don't need elevator control !

Yes, according to Peter Garrison's "Aftermath" column in the November
issue of "Flying" you don't need to connect your elevator control! I
quote: "the NTSB report does not comment on the fact that a
disconnected elevator does not make an ASW-20, or for that matter any
other airplane, unflyable. The situation is aerodynamically no
different from what occurs when the pilot removes his hand from the
stick."

I think I'll start leaving the elevators off my ASW-15 now. Imagine
how the reduction in drag will improve the performance! Not having to
worry about pitch control will certainly cut down on the cockpit
workload as well. The benefits are endless!

In this case the NTSB is wrong!

With the elevator disconnected the run of the control rods are not connected
to the flying surface. Therefore the mass balance of the system is different
to that which was certified, the trim system is also disconnected!
Definately *not* the same as just removing the pilots hand from the stick!

:-)

PS: I'll bet that they don't comment on whether having the mainpin in or not
makes the aircraft *flyable* either!

Ian


"nowhere" wrote in message
m...
Yes, according to Peter Garrison's "Aftermath" column in the November
issue of "Flying" you don't need to connect your elevator control! I
quote: "the NTSB report does not comment on the fact that a
disconnected elevator does not make an ASW-20, or for that matter any
other airplane, unflyable. The situation is aerodynamically no
different from what occurs when the pilot removes his hand from the
stick."

I think I'll start leaving the elevators off my ASW-15 now. Imagine
how the reduction in drag will improve the performance! Not having to
worry about pitch control will certainly cut down on the cockpit
workload as well. The benefits are endless!

At 08:06 30 October 2003, Tango4 wrote:
In this case the NTSB is wrong!

With the elevator disconnected the run of the control
rods are not connected
to the flying surface. Therefore the mass balance of
the system is different
to that which was certified, the trim system is also
disconnected!
Definately *not* the same as just removing the pilots
hand from the stick!


Mind the flaps are the major pitch control in the ASW20,
the elevator is there more for fine adjustment. A number
of pilots have produced 'landings' using the flaps
for pitch control in 20's with disconnected elevators.

:-)

PS: I'll bet that they don't comment on whether having
the mainpin in or not
makes the aircraft *flyable* either!

Strange you should mention that. I understand that
a long time ago someone took a Libelle for a local
soaring flight and after a while became uncomfortable.
After loosening his straps and having a fish around
he produced the main pin, the only thing holding the
wings together was friction on the spigots. I believe
that some very gentle well co-ordinated flying ensued
and he landed without incident.




'nowhere' wrote in message
om...
Yes, according to Peter Garrison's 'Aftermath' column
in the November
issue of 'Flying' you don't need to connect your elevator
control! I
quote: 'the NTSB report does not comment on the fact
that a
disconnected elevator does not make an ASW-20, or
for that matter any
other airplane, unflyable. The situation is aerodynamically
no
different from what occurs when the pilot removes
his hand from the
stick.'

I think I'll start leaving the elevators off my ASW-15
now. Imagine
how the reduction in drag will improve the performance!
Not having to
worry about pitch control will certainly cut down
on the cockpit
workload as well. The benefits are endless!

A number
of pilots have produced 'landings' using the flaps
for pitch control in 20's with disconnected elevators.

And I have the remains of a 20 in the barn, that was unable to control pitch
with the elevator disconnected. There isn't one piece of the ship any larger
than 3 feet long.
Hook up your controls and then do a Critical Assembly Check.
JJ Sinclair

..
'nowhere' wrote in message
om...
Yes, according to Peter Garrison's 'Aftermath' column
in the November 7issue of 'Flying' you don't need to connect your elevator
control! I quote: 'the NTSB report does not comment on the fact
that a disconnected elevator does not make an ASW-20, or
for that matter any other airplane, unflyable.

This is correct. I personally know of Several -20's and even a PIK-20
(no spoiers) that were flown and successfully landed without elevator
control. I tested this mode in a -20C by "locking" the pitch at the
stick with tape (that would break should I need it to). It was not
pretty, but I towed to 2K ft, released and landed with flaps and
spoilers only. Not a huge deal.

Keep your wits about you, practice, and you needn't die because of a
disabled/disconnected control!

Depends on the glider type. In a Ka6E you will certainly crash. If on
tow, you will kill the tug pilot and then crash yourself. Which part of
the phugoid you are in when you hit the ground will play a large part in
determining whether your crash is fatal or just very serious.

Chris N.

Wasn't there a PW that attempted take-off without the main pin (or
whatever it is that keeps the wings stuck on'em) at the World Soaring
Championships this past summer?

Oh please dear god.....
Don't let that Marske guy tell us all we didn't
need tails after all...............

Scott

At 10:00 30 October 2003, Andrew Warbrick wrote:

Mind the flaps are the major pitch control in the ASW20,
the elevator is there more for fine adjustment.


I'd like to see a 20 completing a loop with flaps alone
before I accept that oft stated view:-) A spin recovery
would be interesting too.

John Galloway

(JJ Sinclair) wrote in message ...
A number
of pilots have produced 'landings' using the flaps
for pitch control in 20's with disconnected elevators.

And I have the remains of a 20 in the barn, that was unable to control pitch
with the elevator disconnected. There isn't one piece of the ship any larger
than 3 feet long.
Hook up your controls and then do a Critical Assembly Check.
JJ Sinclair

And the pilot was not your average weekender. Very capable/professional pilot.
-Dan