I wanted to share this with you as I believe that it could be a 'life-saver' and costs next to nothing to implement!
Knowing where you will land in event of an engine-out is absolutely critical in order to make the right split-second decisions.
This 'equipment' comprises ONLY a strip of tape. I used some 'automotive pin-stripe' tape, but any thin tape will do.
By positioning this tape to line with YOUR EYE and the point where you will land in WIND-FREE conditions will allow you to make a very accurate judgement as to your 'landing point' in the event of an engine out.
Even with a wind component you will be able to judge your landing point based upon whether you have a tailwind or headwind, something you as PIC should be aware of at ALL stages of your flight, and depending on the different legs you will need to fly get to the chosen landing point.
Finding the position of this tape on your compression strut takes a few iterations by doing engine-outs (engine at idle) on wind-free days, but once you have worked it out, it is there for good!
So, to get it right, place a piece of tape about 3 inches below your eye-height and do a 'glide-approach' to your airfield in wind-free conditions. Then make a note of whether you under-shot or over-shot the point identified by the red-tape marker, make any adjustment to the tape and do another glide-approach. Repeat until you have it near spot-on!
Considerations at the time of an engine-out, for which allowance would need to be made, include:
1. Headwind or Tailwind component, as mentioned above
2. PAX on board, which would decrease the glide ratio slightly (landing shorter than indicated by the tape)
3. If using a GPS to find 'nearest airfields' and the distance thereto, keep in mind the rough rule-of-thumb, which is 1000ft AGL vertically is roughly 1mile horizontally, so this can also be used but you need to work FAST to ascertain this as time is against you! Also, to use this, i.e. the distance to the airstrips closest to you, you need to know the height of the ground where you are flying (something that is not always known) in order to calculate your height AGL, which would only THEN, through quick calculation (under pressure), give you 'glide distance'. For example 1,500ft AGL = 1,5 miles of 'glide distance'!!
In the example below of a simulated engine-out (engine idling), I am approaching Sue Singleton's airstrip in Hekpoort. Consider that there was no tape on the compression strut, making Sue's airfield is somewhat hit and miss!
Remember, rather be too high and bleed off altitude by slipping/turning, than land short!!
THIS TAKES PRACTICE!!!
