Pipistrel Virus SW F-JTRW Short field TO & landings HD 1080p

Here are a few examples of short field (253m) operations with the Pipistrel Virus. Entirely possible and good exercise for rudder, stick & spoiler co-ordination.
This Virus is a 80HP with air brakes (spoilers) and Beringer brakes. Both are indispensable for short field operations, since the Virus SW has a glide ratio of 17. Without the spoilers will just keep on floating once in ground effect. There was about 5kph head wind during this sequence.
Since April 2022 our runway length is extended to 399m. Nice to have a bit more roll out space.

[@DennisMathias]

I notice that the approaches are long and low altitude/flat. Is that the procedure or is that the safest way to do it?

[@filiplowette7003]

The approaches only seem long: in our pattern the final leg is merely 1km. And it is neither procedure nor the safest way to do it. It is just what I did in these recordings. The glide ratio on this plane is 17, which means it just wants to keep flying. In other words: ground effect on this aircraft is very pronounced and it is just fun and easy to make good use of that. Steeper approaches are also possible using the air brakes/spoilers. Watch this video to see ground effect in a dead stick exercise, with flaps stage one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5-1eKeoh8qfhpo

[@DennisMathias]

@@filiplowette7003 Great explanation. I went back and looked at that and sure enough.

[@tonymontana-px9jf]

Que esperabas es un pipistreel? Yo iba a estudiar la aviación, pero cuando ví este avión insignificante en la escuela rápido aborte la idea de estudiar para piloto, es una estafa, pagar tanto para volar está cosa, digo, porque cuando viajo en avión veo aviones de verdad ahí, y me quedé con la idea de que en la enseñanza era en aviones que se veían en él aeropuerto, pero cruda realidad, cuando ví este pipistrelmierda se me quitaron los ánimos de estudiar, pero sobretodo los ánimos de gastar pinche escuela ifly la más cara y estafadora con esta aeronave.

[@grzechuk6776]

full flaps?

[@filiplowette7003]

Definitely full flaps with spoilers at the round out. IAS about 90kmh in final. The strong Beringer brakes are often needed as well, obviously.

[@grzechuk6776]

@@filiplowette7003 what is your average short landing distance?

[@filiplowette7003]

@@grzechuk6776 About 200m. No tire brakes needed if head wind is more than 10kt. When rounding out, I use the air brakes/ spoilers in the wing. When rolling out keep my nose wheel as high as I can for as long as possible. That way the airflow/head wind helps slow down while I assess if brakes need to be applied to avoid overshooting.

[@grzechuk6776]

@@filiplowette7003 thanks, and did You try landing it shortly on uphill runway , about 10%?

[@filiplowette7003]

@@grzechuk6776 No I did that with a Tecnam P92, but not yet in this one.