Not Your Ordinary Flight School
by Rod Alharithy
(Kansas City, Mo)
Not Your Ordinary Flight School
Picture this. You've just lifted off and started the climb out, when all of a sudden the engine starts to sputter and you're losing power!
Would you panic and freeze up, or would you think it through and properly react?
Some might say that's a question you couldn't answer until put into an actual situation.
My experience says otherwise. I believe that a pilot with a firm foundation in aerodynamics, systems, etc. etc... has the ability to think through the situation and act accordingly.
The scenario I've presented, is an actual situation I found myself in, and I'm very thankful I had the knowledge to react correctly.
It was a pretty nice day for flying, I figured I'd get in an hour practicing a short cross country.
I performed my preflight, checked the AWOS, did my run up and final checks. Everything looked good. I taxied over to the hold short line, checked for traffic, and announced my intentions.
Rolled on to the runway, full rich and engaged the power for the takeoff. I should also tell you that the field elevation is 1000ft and the density altitude was about 2500ft on this day, which might give you an idea of the situation, if you understand density altitude.
I was climbing out for 3,000ft msl, when around 2,500ft my engine started to really sound rough and the rpm's were dropping off.
Now, when my engine first started losing power, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared. In fact my first thought was "Oh S***, this can't be happening" and "Mommy I want down"!!
It's a very lonely feeling when you're up there all by yourself and the engine starts to cough and sputter.
I can honestly say that I got a handle on my emotions very quickly, within seconds of my initial lapse.
I reminded myself of what I needed to do, first and foremost was to attain the best rate of glide speed.
Then I thought maybe there was carburetor ice.
I quickly dismissed that possibility, since I knew the conditions were unfavorable for it to form. As soon as I looked down to begin my checks, I instantly knew what the problem was.
It goes back to what I mentioned about the density altitude, I had failed to lean the mixture at altitude, the engine was running too rich. In hindsight,I probably should of just left it lean on the ground for the takeoff.
I pulled out the mixture knob, leaning the engine. I felt a huge since of relief and satisfaction fall over me as the engine began to purr like a kitten once again, and I even continued with my flight.
There were several things that I learned from this experience, the first was a good lesson in density altitude.
I don't think I will ever forget to lean out my engine when the conditions require it.
As I look back now, I'm thankful that I thought it out. If I had just reached up and pulled out the carburetor heat, it would of in richened the mixture making the situation even worse, maybe even killing the engine.
As crazy as it may sound, I'm thankful that I went through this experience, I learned that I have the skills, knowledge and ability to handle a difficult situation when ever it may occur!
I have to give all of the credit to ATU. I learned absolutely nothing about leaning an aircraft at my previous flight school, it was just understood that the mixture was always in the full rich position and nothing was ever brought too my attention concerning density altitude.
I don't even want too think about the outcome of this situation, if it had occurred when I flew at my previous flight school.
I've come a long way since I came to ATU and I can't even begin to thank Doc Bell enough! I believe he's the only reason that I'm where I am today.
ATU is not an ordinary flight school, ATU produces professional pilots that have the ability to engage their brains and properly react to an emergency situation, which could mean the difference between making the news or landing with everything still in one piece.
