Now the effect of all of these things can be exacerbated by focusing too close on the aircraft, rather than looking far ahead. Remember when your instructor used to yell at you, “You’re looking too close to the plane, darn it?” The reason is you can't judge height by looking too close. You need the perspective provided by looking ahead. Your brain actually forms a view that can be likened to an instrument using the lines of perspective, formed by the edge of the runway, the horizon, etc. There is a lot more to this than just the little discussion here, but this will suffice to make the point. Another, and very important factor, is the stability of your approach. If the approach is stable, it means that the visual signals your brain receives are changing in a predictable fashion and you automatically predict your path. If your speed, altitude -- and particularly attitude -- change frequently, your brain cannot process the visual information properly and you won't be able to accurately rotate or hold attitude for landing. When rotating, just make sure you maintain the proper attitude for your aircraft until it touches down. It never works to force the aircraft onto the runway. The key is to let the aircraft land itself. The most you can do is establish the conditions your aircraft needs to do what you want. So, what do we do when our usual smooth, barely-feelthe-touchdown-landings go away?
First, look for what has changed. Check to see that the proper visual point is maintained. Recall the emphasis on stabilized approaches? Well, make sure your approach is stabilized. Remember that a good landing is dependent on a stable, consistent approach. The main corrective factor here is “practice,” and one might have a flight instructor observe and assist. Up to this point, it doesn't matter whether you are flying a tail-wheel aircraft or one with the training wheel up front. Once on the ground, things change a bit and that will be the topic for a future column. EDITOR’S NOTE: Harold Green is an Instrument and Multi-Engine Instrument Instructor (CFII, MEII) at Morey Airplane Company in Middleton, Wisconsin (C29). A flight instructor since 1976, Green was named “Flight Instructor of the Year” by the Federal Aviation Administration in 2011 and is a recipient of the “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.” Questions, comments and suggestions for future topics are welcomed via email at harlgren@aol.com, or by telephone at 608-836-1711 (www.MoreyAirport.com). DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this column is the expressed opinion of the author only, and readers are advised to seek the advice of their personal flight instructor and others, and refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations, FAA Aeronautical Information Manual and instructional materials before attempting any procedures discussed herein. q
Ask Pete
Flying For Hire Is More Than Just Having A Commercial Pilot Certificate by Pete Schoeninger
Copyright 2021. All rights reserved!
Q: I want to start giving limited seaplane rides for hire from the lake where I have a house and keep my floatplane during summers. I have a Commercial Pilot Certificate and maintain my airplane Pete Schoeninger with 100-hour/annual inspections. A friend said I needed to contact the “feds” for an approval? Is that true? A: You will probably need a “letter of authorization” from your nearest FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). I urge you to contact them before starting flights for hire this spring. And if you are carrying passengers any distance, you
may also need to get a Part 135 Air Taxi Certificate, which is a major undertaking. I hate to rain on your parade, but many people have looked into this and decided not to do it as insurance premiums on floatplanes operating for hire is expensive. Call your insurance agent and be sitting down when you do. In addition, there are other hoops you may have to jump through. Look at page 8 of the December 2019/January 2020 issue of Midwest Flyer Magazine for the closing paragraph of an excellent article entitled “Illegal Charter Doesn’t Just Happen In Business Jets” by Attorney Greg Reigel in which he states: “If any money is going to be changing hands….” https://midwestflyer.com/wp-content/ uploads/2019/12/MFM-Dec2019Jan2020IssueWeb.pdf Continued on Page 23
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