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09-28-2010, 07:08 AM
Mike | Speed Brakes
Has anyone given any thought to adding speed brakes to the plane..?
09-28-2010, 02:21 PM
Ed Lynch | Speedbrakes
Yes, Mike,--I have speedbrakes on my plane. They are the Precise Flight speedbrakes found on Lancair, Mooney, and others. On a scale of 1 to 10, they are a 9+. On a scale of "Do you need them?" only about a 2-. Lotsa work and $$, and I hardly ever use them. If you can justify the gee-wizz factor, go ahead. Otherwise not worth it, in my opinion. Ed
09-29-2010, 06:35 AM
Mike
Thats what I figured. How well do they work at slowing down the plane on a long final..? When have you used them?
09-30-2010, 10:39 AM
Ed Lynch | Speedbrakes
In the year and a half I've been flying my Seawind, I haven't used them "for real", only tested them to see what the do. They should be called "spoilers" because that more nearly describes their function. They are relatively small, and their effect is limited. They add about 700fpm to my rate of descent, or cause an increased decay in airspeed with the throttle closed. They may be useful as you suggested for slowing down on a long, fast final. I'll have to try that. A normal final for me is very short. Ed
Mike | Speed Brakes
Has anyone given any thought to adding speed brakes to the plane..?
09-28-2010, 02:21 PM
Ed Lynch | Speedbrakes
Yes, Mike,--I have speedbrakes on my plane. They are the Precise Flight speedbrakes found on Lancair, Mooney, and others. On a scale of 1 to 10, they are a 9+. On a scale of "Do you need them?" only about a 2-. Lotsa work and $$, and I hardly ever use them. If you can justify the gee-wizz factor, go ahead. Otherwise not worth it, in my opinion. Ed
09-29-2010, 06:35 AM
Mike
Thats what I figured. How well do they work at slowing down the plane on a long final..? When have you used them?
09-30-2010, 10:39 AM
Ed Lynch | Speedbrakes
In the year and a half I've been flying my Seawind, I haven't used them "for real", only tested them to see what the do. They should be called "spoilers" because that more nearly describes their function. They are relatively small, and their effect is limited. They add about 700fpm to my rate of descent, or cause an increased decay in airspeed with the throttle closed. They may be useful as you suggested for slowing down on a long, fast final. I'll have to try that. A normal final for me is very short. Ed