LSA Transition Training – Ground Proximity Awareness (GPA) Training

LESSON ONE

PRE-FLIGHT

1. Face the plane into the wind prior to opening the canopy.
2. Check the engine oil level by burping the engine.
3. BURPING THE ENGINE: Slowly turn the propeller counterclockwise about 15 times. This will bring the oil back into the oil canister for a proper oil reading on the center of the flat part of the dipstick. Neve add more than 1/4 qt oil to avoid over filling. (Turning the prop clockwise can damage the gearbox.)
4. Oil must be on the flat part of the dipstick. Never add a full quart since the Rotax only holds three quarts total.
5. COOLANT: The coolant bottle should be about half full cold. Occasionally, remove the top cowl and add coolant by removing the coolant cap. Place a drop of engine oil on the brass center ring to prevent damage to the oil cap gasket. Inspect and replace the oil cap gasket every few years. Coolant is 50/50 distilled water and GM Dexcool. Adding more distilled water than coolant will help the engine run cooler when operating in hot climates.
6. TIRE PRESSURE: Remove the wheel pants. Occasionally check the tire pressure and brake linings Main tires-30 lbs  Nose tire-25 lbs. Brake Linings-1/16th inch or more.

STARTING

1. Follow the instructions on the checklist.

LESSON 2

TAKEOFF
Flaps-10 DEGREES-Oil temperature-122F minimum
Hold the brakes and add full throttle. Verify the RPM is 5000 RPM or more. Release the brakes and add the right rudder.  Apply slight back pressure. Count one, two three, apply more slight back pressure, Count one, two three, apply more slight back pressure and wait for the plane to take off. After liftoff release some back pressure and accelerate to Vx 70 KIAS while in ground effect. After obstacles are cleared use the best rate of climb (Vy) 77 KIAS.
(Rotation speeds should have been 45-50 KIAS, but I prefer you not look. Ask your CFI what your rotation speed was.)
CLIMB
Best rate Vy is 75 KIAS.  YOU MUST SESE OVER THE NOSE!!!
At 700 AGL, retract the flaps, lower the nose and make the turn onto the crosswind leg.
On hot 90-degree days, climb at 85 KIAS for cooling.

YOU ALWAYS MUST SEE OVER THE NOSE

YOU ALWAYS MUST SEE OVER THE NOSE

YOU ALWAYS MUST SEE OVER THE NOSE

You will not have a departure stall if you can see over the nose

LESSON 3

CRUISE
When using 100LL use a minimum of 5000 RPM to assist lead dispersion and change the oil every 25 hours.
When using 91 oct premium auto gas, you need to mix half 100LL from March first to May first to prevent vapor lock from winter grade auto gas that can occur on hot days.
Due to the 2.42:1 gearbox, when the prop is turning at 2200 RPM,  the crankshaft is turning at 5320 RPM.
The high cruise is 5350 and will result in about 5.5 GPH and 117 knots of true airspeed at 2000 feet. This is about 80% cruise.

LESSON 4

Power on descents:
4000 RPM will protect the gearbox on descent.
The Traffic Pattern:
4000 RPM on the downwind leg will allow the aircraft to slow to (Vfe) flap extend speed of 75 KIAS.  If you see your speed is in excess of 75 KIAS, close the throttle, add 10 degrees of flap and return the power to 4000 RPM.
Abeam the number reduce power to 3700 RPM, lower the nose, add 10 more degrees of flap and trim for 70 knots.
Turn base leg and reduce power to 3400 RPM and say, “Am I too High, Am I too Low, Am I just right,  DO SOMETHING!! You should be 500 feet AGL when turning the final approach. Lower the nose when turning final-maintain 60 KIAS +5-0
Note: After the plane has slowed to 75 KIAS, it is okay to reduce the throttle to idle without damaging the gearbox.
Rotax wants the idle set at 1800 RPM to protect the gearbox. This high idle will result in fast taxi speeds. Apply brakes to bring the plane almost to a stop, then resume normal taxi. This technique will cause the brake pads to last longer.
The idle may be as low as 1400 RPM for one minute. This low idle is only used for seaplanes so they will not hit the dock.

LESSON 5

LANDING-Earn your Bristell Challenge Coin

FLY on at 50 KIAS, do not stall on at 39 KIAS.
Your Landing Doctor CFI will teach you GPA, Ground Proximity Awareness training to make you “Master and Commander” during crosswind landings. You can read about GPA training at www.thelandingdoctor.com

You will also learn about DFGAP our defined go-around point. If your approach is not stabilized at 200 feet AGL, this is your go-around point.

You earn a Bristell “Art of Detfing Gravity” challenge coin when you can land on the back of the main gear, on the centerline, with no crab, on a day with a minimum of 6 knots crosswind, travel 300 feet down the centerline with the nose slightly off the runway, then initiate a go-around without letting the nose get too high, and accelerate to 75 KIAS Vy within ground effect.

If your Bristell is equipped with a third autopilot servo that controls yaw, you must turn off the Flight Director before landing.

LESSON 6

Full Flap landings from now on. Touch down 45 KIAS, but do not look. Ask the CFI what your speed was when the wheels touched. PLC, Personal Limitations Check List. Do not do full stall landings until you have 10 hours in the Bristell. Getting too slow on landing can lead to loss of control if there is a crosswind.

Your Landing Doctor CFI will assist you in completing your PLC. Flying within your personal limits will keep you and your loved ones safe!

To protect the canopy, turn the aircraft into the wind prior to opening the canopy.

Shut down: Reduce throttle to idle
Turn off electronic ignition one and wait one-second Turn off electronic ignition two
Turn off all switches Record the engine time.
Turn off Master Switch,put strobe on
We put on the strobe because it is easy to put the master switch back on with your foot as you get out of the aircraft. You will see the strobe as you walk away and know the master is on.