Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: Question for all Pilots

Yes, perhaps I am a bit harsh, I can be that way, but my point is the answer is more nuanced than just saying "elevator". Now, don't EVEN get me started on "pitch for airspeed or pitch for......" LOL

--- In Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com, "James Bair" <jimbair@...> wrote:
>
> Asking the proper question is one of the biggest challenges of being an instructor. In a perfect world, the student comes to the answers seemingly on his own if the questions are perfect and start with what the student already knows. This is difficult for the instructor and takes time and patience. Each student will vary with the proper line of questioning. So yes, a poor question leads to a poor answer. I wish I was perfect, but like most instructors, I am not. I enjoy these discussions as an exercise in learning myself how to ask better questions. You are being a bit hard on the CFI here, I think, because in my mind the question of which control surface makes an airplane turn is pretty straightforward. If the student can’t answer it properly, it tells me something immediately about the student’s level of aeronautical/aerodynamic knowledge, and leads to further questions. This is a question I often ask when giving a checkride and I am amazed at how many people don’t know the answer.
>
> I think a common source of confusion that leads people down the wrong road of thinking is confusing rolling and turning. They are not the same thing at all. People are just used to seeing airplanes bank and turn, and in their heads they connect the two. In coordinated flight, yes, an angle of bank leads to a turn. But it is not necessarily so, and anyone who has been to an airshow has seen this in action. If this question was asked of any fighter pilot, the answer would always be the same. Aileron rolls you to the desired angle of bank, and pulling the stick back into your lap makes the airplane turn. A jet fighter that is rolled simply continues in a straight line until elevator is applied and then the turn begins. You answered the question in your last line. “then after the roll is in, the elevator is really what causes turning...” Bingo! Yes, you are correct.
>
> Jim Bair
>
> From: MarkE
> Sent: Monday, March 05, 2012 9:27 AM
> To: Sport_Aircraft@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Light-Sport Aircraft Yahoo group Re: Question for all Pilots
>
>
> If the casual study of philosophy has taught me anything it has taught me that a poorly poised question will always get poor answers.
>
> If I was ask this by a CFI, I'd have to do some questioning of my own before I would fly with her/him.
>
> NO one control is primary in a turn, it takes all three used in a concert to make a "proper" turn plus some throttle if you don't want to slow or loose alt.
> If the one that ask this was thinking of what you start with then he/she has not flown a good variety of planes as it varies, rudder in older airplanes, ailerons with most newer designs, but with either it is still a concert of all three.
> If the asked was talking aerodynamics, then after the roll is in, the elevator is really what causes turning...
>
> --- In mailto:Sport_Aircraft%40yahoogroups.com, "Kevin" <kmoberlypilot@> wrote:
> >
> > I had a discussion last week with Rich Stowell, an industry expert on stalls, spins, and unusual attitude recovery. He posed a very simple, fundamental question to myself and a student, and stated that 90% of pilots get the answer wrong. I'm curious how everyone on this group will answer.
> >
> > What is the primary control surface used to turn and airplane?
> >
> > I'd love to hear your answers. If you have time, click on this link to answer/discuss further:
> >
> > http://pilotsleague.com/conference/index.html
> >
> > Once we get some responses, I'll post a link to his answer.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Kevin Moberly
> > PilotsLeague.com
> >
>

------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sport_Aircraft/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
Sport_Aircraft-digest@yahoogroups.com
Sport_Aircraft-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
Sport_Aircraft-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/