Common Errors - P-330

CHAPTER ELEVEN

T-34C CONTACT

AGSM. Quickly scan the altimeter during recovery in order to return to straight and

level flight at approximately the same altitude, airspeed and heading from which the

maneuver was initiated.

Common Errors

Failure to check and report the altitude prior to entry. It is hard to recover on the

same altitude when you do not know what it is.

Poor directional control caused by failure to maintain balanced flight with the proper

amount of right rudder as airspeed is lost and then regained. Poor rudder control is

easily detected by checking the alignment of the nose and the section line.

Remember that the required rudder input varies as airspeed varies. Almost constant

rudder adjustment will be required during the maneuver.

Poor directional control caused by failure to keep the wings parallel to the horizon

throughout the maneuver. The most common tendency by far is to pull the stick

slightly to the right when pulling the nose up during the 3.5 G entry. Keep the stick

centered longitudinally as the entry input is made. Check and correct the wing

attitude often.

Poor execution of the initial pull-up with respect to G loading and/or timing.

Remember, 3.5 Gs in two to three seconds. Scan the accelerometer. Excessive G-

loading and/or loading the aircraft too quickly will cause an excessively rapid

deceleration, and may result in overstress. Insufficient G-loading, or taking too long

to obtain the correct acceleration, will deplete the aircraft's energy state, resulting in a

stalled or near-stalled condition when approaching the inverted position.

Relaxing too much backstick pressure while passing through the inverted position at

he top of the Loop. This will result in a "floating" sensation. Remember to maintain

some positive G-loading throughout the entire maneuver. Conversely, failure to relax

sufficient backstick pressure over the top will result in excessive angle of attack and

rudder shakers. If this occurs, relax the backstick pressure slightly.

Failure to initiate the pull-out soon enough during the second half of the Loop. This

results in excessive airspeed and recovery below the initial altitude.

11-4 AEROBATIC MANUEVERS