Novel Method for Forced Landing Practice

[@FlightChops]

Great idea Sting - Love this idea about "randomized" forced landing practice! CONTE.... I'll let some one else have it :)

[@philipjenkins1377]

I definitely need to start randomizing my emergency engine outs. I have a bad habit of looking around first, saying "yeah, I could ditch here," and *then* cutting throttle. The phone timer is a solid idea.

[@johnquimby3079]

Great videos. I would add the restart check list before you commit to an off field landing. Most piper off field landings probably occur because you forgot to change the fuel selector. I will be sure to set the random alarm during my next trip. Thanks for sharing great reminder to keep up the training.

[@StingFlight]

John Quimby Yes, thanks, always try the re-start, time-permitting.

[@711cubing2]

FlightChops you always comment on these vids

[@RamiH]

Loving your videos.I just found your channel and the videos are very pleasant in quality and editing! Thanks!

[@StingFlight]

Roger that! Thanks!

[@P61guy61]

Nice video and good tips. I'm glad you said "all clear" prior to takeoff. Nobody on the tcas, nobody on the radio alone is a mindset that if used by itself is one of my biggest pet peeves. The #1 collision avoidance tool is the eyes. All too often people rely on the radio and tcas to determine if the pattern or area is clear. Both are helpful but can lead to a false sense of security. Aircraft on the wrong frequency, inop radios, emergencies, ultralights and Cubs with no radios are threats which are all to often forgotten. I have seen pilots who made a radio call that they were taking the active fire takeoff and who also ended up pulling out in front of landing traffic. They were mad because the landing plane did not broadcast. Well, he should have looked out the window first. These are my thoughts and you get what you pay for.

[@StingFlight]

Good points. Last fall, I witnessed the risks first-hand of bad behavior around the aerodrome, when I watched two airplanes (two pilots heading home together) collide right in front of me at a fly-in near Yerrington, Nevada...a sobering experience that reinforces these points. Click here, to see my video of this incident: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKOkYn-Hbb9mhLM

[@FlyingDeacon]

Nice one Sting. Great idea to help keep us thinking about the "what ifs"

[@StingFlight]

Roger that, FD!

[@andrewskater8813]

very interesting. Done a bit of gliding. not sure what it would be like to simulate a field landing with a motor but just sitting here I was not relaxed. Good training idea you got there!

[@AC-pm7sn]

I love these center stick airplanes. They look like they would feel so natural to fly with.

[@britpaddler1]

I really enjoyed your video. I don't practice as much as I should but will from now on. Thanks for sharing.

[@StingFlight]

Terrific!

[@happysawfish]

That music . . . lol. Simulating mind confusion in the emergency is my guess. Most excellent work Captain

[@StingFlight]

Yes! You nailed it, Sawfish!

[@TWCHHK]

Great Video! Very instructive and professionally recorded and explained! Really enjoyed it a lot!

[@StingFlight]

Thank you, sir!

[@finsent0]

Hey Sting this and all your videos are awesome! You combine safety and fun and that's the best thing what everybody can do in that little world up there. The sound effects make them even funnier. Your area where the videos are shot look amazing! I hope I can get up there once to. Keep up the good work and greetings from Holland.

[@StingFlight]

Thanks--especially regarding the sound! I like to make these fun, and music and sound effects help. Yes, this IS a fine area to fly--super weather for it, most of the time, too! Just way too many people out here in CA, that's the biggest problem!

[@ZeroByteInFlight]

Great way to improve the practice regime! I've had times when I thought to myself what an inconvenient moment it would be to lose power.... That last example really shows what you may (hopefully not) one day face. I'm going to have to start working these in.

[@StingFlight]

Thanks ZB--and safe flying, bro!

[@bennylandron]

Fantastic video! You sir, never cease to amaze me. Very professionally done video and a heck of a lot of fun to watch. Oh yes! I also appreciate the info. I will get right on my engine outs, I have been slacking lately. Thanks for videos.

[@StingFlight]

Benny, your check is in the mail!

[@bennylandron]

Sting Flight Lol

[@wingnut8a]

As a pilot and an avid Donnels reservoir aficionado, I can say that near the dam is where you want to be. It has its drawbacks though. There is no shore there, so you better hope you aren't injured in the landing. You will need your strength to climb out. Also, if the dam is spilling, you won't be able to make it to the ladder safely. If I didn't have enough altitude to make it all the way to the dam, I would want to ditch on the southern side of the lake near the big waterfall. There is a campsite there where you could build a fire and wait for help. Any further towards the dam and you will be in the narrows with no shore and a long swim.

[@StingFlight]

Roger that. Donnels would be a real bad place to have to ditch, period. I included it only for the stellar scenic aspect.

[@LumpyFPV]

OK, your video mentions five forced landings that you've had to make. I want to hear the stories behind these! I need details please.

[@StingFlight]

That's easy! These were all "partial loss of power" issues (mostly during initial climb-out), due to debris in a carburetor. Read this recent post (SportPilotTalk-forum) of mine--and also click the additional link near the end of it: sportpilottalk.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=4588 Keep your carbs clear of debris...and stay alive.

[@StingFlight]

Folks, my "contest" appears stuck in the mud. So, I will go ahead and start revealing some solo, "random engine-out" methods. My favorite is this: Just before climbing into my plane for a trip, I hand my smart phone to a hangar-mate next door. I tell her the estimated minutes of my flight (example, 45) and the estimated minutes until I take off (example, 13). She then picks a random number (i.e., minute) between 13 and 58 (this example, only). And she programs the vibrating alarm clock of my smart phone (or an app, for such) to go off at that minute (from now)! Then I put the phone in a pocket where I will "feel" the alarm--and I'm good to go! And it guarantees I'll be totally surprised when it goes off 'and the engine-out begins.'

[@theroskyyyy]

Nice stuff you have there, very cool ideas Sir

[@StingFlight]

Thanks, Theroskyyy!

[@IdahoLife]

A few ideas on how to "surprise" yourself with an engine out: 1.) Random number generate a gps waypoint between your takeoff location and destination. Load it into the gps and upon arrival, initiate your procedure. 2.) Establish a "keyword", that upon hearing ATC or other pilot say it you initiate the drill. (IE: "heavy"...as is "22 heavy turn right.....") 3.) First airplane you see in the air, initiate the drill. And for the truly adventurous....take off with 4 gallons of fuel. Somewhere in the next hour the engine WILL cut out!

[@StingFlight]

Stand by. Under evaluation...

[@StingFlight]

+Sting Flight Hey Chris: Those are pretty good and novel, too! However, #1 would be biased (as you watched yourself "closing" on the WPt, you'd be getting ready) unless someone else entered the WP, you never looked at all in route, and just waited for the arrival alarm to sound. #2 has potential to be random, if it could be designed for roughly one "hit" per trip; otherwise, it would tend to favor the start of the trip. And #3 would favor areas "around airports," where most other air traffic is encountered. Nice try though and thanks for being the first to try!

[@albion502128]

A hole in the gas tank is a good one. Or you could just fly my old Thruster and wait a few minutes. :-) Excellent video!

[@StingFlight]

Roger that, Steve--and thanks!

[@nicklower4260]

great as always !!!

[@StingFlight]

Thanks, Nick!

[@nicklower4260]

what kind of money was your plane if you dont mind me asking. :that was a quick reply as im in the UK

[@StingFlight]

$75K four years ago. Not worth that, now, however.

[@nicklower4260]

looks a great little plane> those go pro cameras do the job too I find your flying very relaxing to watch . I fly but not real flight > RC helicopters. however i have had acouple of lessons in the past and loved it> cheers keep your experiences coming my friend they are great. stay safe. Nick

[@crankychicks]

Thanks

[@robertkerr3059]

I was going to get a plane but not if I have to hear a claxon again

[@RV12pilot]

As usual - well done

[@coryt490]

I'm curious how low you take it on these practice forced landings? Isn't the risk of contacting wires too great to make it worth taking it as low as it appears?

[@StingFlight]

Yes, in this video--for visual effect--I took them lower than I usually do during practice. Having the field "made" is low enough; each of us should know where that point is for our particular airplane. However, in these examples and anytime I am going to fly low, I pre-fly the route first, to locate wires. I do fly low a lot, but of the 44 brushes with death (new video on these, coming in a few months) I've had in 2,000 hrs during my 6.5 years flying, only 4 were wires trying to kill me. I worry much more about loss of control, and other pilots doing stupid stuff, around non-towered airports.

[@coryt490]

Thanks for the reply

[@Ravnican127]

Train like your life depends on it, because one day it might.

[@garynnikki]

I'm in clearlake and I'd love to go flying with you.

[@StingFlight]

+Anon ymous (Anonymous) Please link up w/ me (drdehave) using Hotmail.

[@rahulgovani]

Just curious where was this flight?

[@rahulgovani]

+Rahul Govani i mean the very beginning of the video above the lake

[@StingFlight]

+Rahul Govani If you mean the first minute and a half, over that beautiful mountain lake, that is Donnell Reservoir. The Mayday call tells you where exactly it is located.

[@AirplaneDetective]

You are more likely to do someone stupid like vfr into imac and fly into a mountain, than die from a lost engine

[@StingFlight]

+Spayne007 For sure! And in my case, more likely to die from hitting a utility line!