Controllability Check / Structural Damage

Question 1

What is the minimum altitude to climb to to perform the controllability check?

Answer 1

6,000’ AGL (if practicable)

Question 2

What is generally touchdown speed?

Answer 2

+/- 5 knots of level flight stall speed

Question 3

What is the absolute minimum airspeed you can attain during the controllability check?

Answer 3

In no case shall you allow your airspeed to get below touchdown speed (+/- 5 knots of level flight stall speed)

Question 4

Generally, what amount of stick deflection required for level flight is considered your minimum controllable airspeed?

Answer 4

More than 3/4 stick deflection to maintain level unaccelerated flight is considered your minimum controllable airspeed

Question 5

What airspeed do you slow down to for the controllability check?

Answer 5

Slow down to your minimum controllable airspeed or touchdown speed, whichever occurs first

Question 6

What should you do if you determine you have a touchdown speed of 200 knots?

Answer 6

Consider burning fuel to try the controllability check at a lower fuel weight. If you touchdown at 200 knots, there is a large possibility of of the nose wheel striking first resulting in a high speed PIO

Question 7

Would should you do if you lose the upper portion of the vertical tail and why?

Answer 7

If you lose the upper portion of the vertical tail, the upper UHF antenna and VOR/ILS system will be gone, requiring you to switch your COMM ANTENNA switch to the LOWER position

Question 8

If you compute your touchdown speed in the MOA at 2000 lbs, and you return to the field for landing at 1500 pounds, by how many knots does your touchdown speed change?

Answer 8

Do not change your computed touchdown speed

Question 9

By how much can not aerobraking increase normal landing roll by?

Answer 9

~50%

Question 10

If you suspect structural damage, what should you change about your landing and what are the secondary effects of this?

Answer 10

If you suspect structural damage, do not aerobrake. This may increase you normal landing distance by as much as 50%

Question 11

At what airspeed should you plan to touchdown at?

Answer 11

Plan to touchdown at 10 knots above either normal touchdown speed or minimum control airspeed, wichever is higher

Question 12

What airspeed should you fly (minimum) during descent and approach?

Answer 12

Maintain a minimum of 20 KCAS above minimum controllable airspeed

Question 13

General corrective (checklist) actions during a controllability check:

Answer 13

1. COMM ANTENNA - LOWER (as required)
2. Notify appropriate ground agency of intentions
3. Climb to at least 6,000’ AGL (if practical)
4. Simulate landing approach
5. Determine airspeed at which aircraft becomes difficult to control
6. Do not change aircraft configuration
7. Maintain at least 20 KCAS above minimum controllable airspeed during descent and landing approach
8. Fly a power on, straight in approach requiring minimum flare