RE: NEW KMP 95" B-25
All,
Well, I will have to eat my own MCA [:'(]
Doing some additional research, MCA is used for both Minimum Controllable Airspeed and Minimum Critical Airspeed. The latter is a defined 'V' speed, refered to as Vmc or sometimes Vmca (also called Mimimum Single Engine Control Speed). It is definied as below. Anyone interested in details about this, please see these web sites. NOTE: Vmca can CHANGE with increased bank angles!!! This has real ramificaitons for us twin pilots. See the accident report link.
[link=http://www.westwingsinc.com/vmca.htm]Definition[/link]
[link=http://www.avioconsult.com/downloads/Suppl.%20Analysis%20limited%20PA-31%20NZ%20-%202002-12-17.pdf]Accident[/link]
[link=http://fergworld.com/cfi/pdf/Multi-engine_Instructor_Quick_Reference.doc]Mulit Engine Instructor Quick Refernece[/link]
Short Definition
Vmca, the minimum airspeed at which an airborne multiengine airplane is controllable with an inoperative engine under a standard set of conditions, is arguably the most important piece of aeronautical knowledge a multiengine pilot must understand. Unfortunately, most of the texts that are commonly available treat this subject inadequately. The purpose of this discussion is to provide thoughtful insight on the conditions under which Vmca is determined and how they affect the airspeed known as Vmca.
When a manufacturer of a light multiengine airplane certifies that aircraft, one of the limitations that must be established as a condition of certification is Vmca. Every manufacturer is bound to the same set of criteria when determining this limitation. Those conditions are (in no particular order):
Critical engine at idle power setting.
Critical propeller windmilling.
Operating engine producing maximum thrust.
Landing gear up (normally).
Flaps up (normally).
Aircraft loaded at the most aft allowable center of gravity.
Aircraft loaded to the maximum gross weight.
Up to five degrees of bank toward the operating engine.
Atmospheric conditions normalized to standard day at sea level pressure.
With these conditions observed, airspeed is decreased until heading cannot be maintained. That airspeed is noted, and subsequently marked by a red radial on the airspeed indicators of the production models.