To dead stick or not to dead stick

[DarkHelmet]

Dead sticking, as I understand it you turn the engine off and do a landing ASAP thereafter.

I personally do not like the idea, why turn the power off if you don't have to?

Understandably leaving the engine at idle causes more drag as the air flowing over the prop acts as a sort of airbrake et al.

I practice simulated engine outs and it was drilled into my head that you don't turn the mags off.

Understandably I trained on a trike that was started with a prop-swing and a restart mid air was not possible.

Another thing - remember to turn the mags on again immediately after the engine dies so you don't sit there swearing with your hand on the starter button

[C205]

During my training we did deadstick landing on a microlight that propswings to start as well (no midair restart possible).
I rather enjoyed the silence and had no problem flying a circuit and landing on the runway minus an engine. Gave me quite a lot of confidence.
But then I have 30 hours in a glider

[Wart]

It is part of our training as my instructor feels that you should be prepared for this if it happens, however there are a couple of things that you need to note in preparation of doing this.

First, make sure you have enough height and make sure you are over the airfield (this is just safety). Then pull back to idle and keep it there for about a minute or 2. Only then mags OFF; wait for the motor to stop and switch the mags back on (this then prepares it in case you want to start the motor again). Sit back and fly the plane!

I thoroughly enjoy this type of landing and look forward to my first planned and controlled (quite clear here ) dead-stick landing.

No noise except the wind :D

[Griffin]

Wart - Why run at idle for a minute or two??

[Wart]

Wart - Why run at idle for a minute or two??

To allow for gradual cooling of the motor rather than the "shock" cooling effect of just shutting down and gliding. I do believe that this can have a detrimental effect on the motors; I don't have the exact details but will find out and post here.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

Think it should be taught. There is a huge difference between silence and idle. The shock of it actually happening to you can be difference between and . It scarred sh!t out of me first time I saw prop actually stop and all checks went for a ball. By 2nd 3rd time it was easier and it then becomes yet another situation that you have actually dealt with rather than just discussed.

[FAWGie]

I agree with the practice, but only over suitable landing areas that will allow for undershoot/overshoot situations..... Also radio your intentions with the terminology "deadstick landing simulation"- others on the ground tend to panic when they hear an engine out approach and will be more at ease when it is realised that your actions are intentional and it will also advise others in circuit that you cannot be #2 for landing - preference is given to powerless landings.....

If possible, rather practise on trikes with an electric start just in case....

[gertcoetzee]

Yes, agree it should be practiced. See my 31 December post. Admittedly I did something stupid but if I had not started practicing deadstick landings earlier in the month I would not have pulled off a good landing. The fright of silence is overpowering for the first second, then a plan of action should kick in.

[Fairy Flycatcher]

I think its very important to turn the engine off during training, and once you have your licence. BUT please remember its against the law to practice simulated emergencies(with or without the engine running) with a passenger on board. (CAR 91.07.26)

And I fully agree with FAWG Dawg. Do it only with suitable margin for error.

I think practice as many simulated emergencies as possible (with the engine on idle - remember to keep it warm - about 50% power for a couple of seconds every 500'). The glide is not as good with the engine on idle, as the prop then causes drag without thrust, but its a good indication of what to expect with the engine off.