twinman
Posts: 1628
Joined: 1/19/2002
From: Katy, TX, USA
Status: offline
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You know, the brain is going with the hair.
About two years ago, I wrote this article for my club newsletter and just found it again.
NOW I AM NOT SUGGESTING YOU TRY THIS, but thought you would enjoy.
VQ A-26 Single Engine Test
I told you twins make you crazy.
Last Saturday, got a call from another crazy "twin" buddy with the VQ A-26 and two ST 45's two strokes. I think he wanted to get another plane. He has flown this for over one year.
He wanted to know if I would help with "experiment".....single engine flight test.
Not my plane!!!!! You bet!!! Grabbed the camera and was out like a shot!!!
No gyros, retracts, and Grapner 9x8 three blade props.
The test was to program each engine to separate channels, mix together, and bring the one engine to idle upon command. I did not say kill, even I am not that crazy!!!!
These engines are a bit over recommended power. Loops, inverted flight, and figure eights are all within reach. I know, he let ME fly his plane before......TEE HEE.
Anyway, took off to four or five mistakes high. Level flight, 1/2 throttle and idled the one engine.
The plane flew straight with only slight yaw, but slowing down, which is very dangerous. I yelled to go to full power on the remaining engine. Level flight was maintained and two circuits around the pattern were done. Note, for safety he turned into the running engine via throttle reduction, nose down, and throttle up after the turn. I have always been afraid of turning away from the running engine to avoid rolling over.
Now, I said flew level on one full speed engine and one idling. I did not say loops or climbing!!!
I suggested inverted low pass, but he talked bad about my forefathers at that point. No sense of adventure.
In summary, with this plane and good engine power, it will fly on one engine, relatively safely. Now, one dead engine and the drag of a stopped prop, will increase drag, but I believe it would fly.
This does not mean that you can 1. Take off with one engine 2. Lose and engine on take off and survive, Never take off without the vertical test of engine reliability. Lose an engine on take off and you will crash. 3. Never attempt to "go around" on this twin, on take off, or any twin. Once you are committed, bring the throttle to idle and Land, no matter where you are coming down.
Now, in my opinion, is this a trainer.....no. It is a scale warbird, heavy wing loading, and short tail moment. It does have a large rudder which helps. It lands faster than single pilots are used to. Yes, my buddy does land it slower than I do, but I really do not like any possiblity of tip stalls. Not as cool as P-38 in the air, but my heart beats slower.
Told you twins make you crazy.......now the disease is spreading.
Twinman
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