Originally Posted by
tp777fo
This was never intended to to be a dig on any jet rally. It is a dig on having low and slow mixed with high speed flybys. I fly down the runway at normal speed look for a gap and turn to position my jet on downwind. Throttle idle, 2 potatoes, gear down, 2 more potatoes, half flaps, 2 more potatoes, full flaps and turn. I can see my gear on downwind and final. If not down I go around and work problem. I hate to wait 2-3 minutes burning fuel waiting to take off with guys doing gear on downwind, fly by low and slow, turn downwind and then land. Like i said before i can be on the ground 30 seconds after calling landing and minimize my risk of low and slow. Not a dig on guys who lost jets either . Just a better way to speed up traffic pattern and minimize the risk to our jets. Try it...you just might like it.
Tom,
I think everyone gets your point, but the issue is, some pilots can do that with some planes, but some can not. Most guys need a little more than 30 seconds to get situated on a controlled approach in order to make a decent landing.
The issue at Kentucky Jets was that it was difficult to get guys off the ground in a comfortable fashion when guys made "short" circuits like you are describing. When the pattern was lengthened, it worked out much better in terms of being able to get guys off the ground - whether they back-taxied before beginning their takeoff roll or not.
Did this contribute to the mid-air, perhaps, but the Hawk was about at the point where must guys turned outbound anyway, without the request to extend the gear passes. The spotters could have *possibly* helped to avoid the mid-air, but it may have happened anyway...
Bob