Idea for an altitude and gear warning.

[Pinecone]

1 hour ago, 00-Negative said:

I haven't analyzed any statistical data, but I suspect that the rate of gear-ups among military pilots is much lower than that of civilian pilots. The most glaring variables are training and consequences. Both of which are much higher among military pilots. 

At least in the USAF for fighter/attack aircraft, there is a gear down call every landing.  I know I always did a quick glance at the gear handle when making that call.

Also, at most places, you have a qualified pilot at the end of the runway with binoculars, radio, and a flare gun checking for gear down.

[00-Negative]

So do you think the ground personnel warning system is a bigger factor for lower rates of gear-up landings per hour flown by military pilots than regular repetitive redundant training exercises? I wonder how often the flare is used to prevent a near-miss. I'd bet that pilot gets some crap from his peers if he gets a flare popped because his gear isn't down.

-David

[AJ88V]

9 hours ago, Joshua Blackh4t said:

Annnnnd BINGO...  exactly what I was thinking.

Except I was going to use a light sensor rather than wired to gear switch to make it less intrusive.

Do you have any details about it?

 

As for training, I call BS. You CANNOT train yourself not to be distracted.

Many people have gear upped their planes and many of them were extremely well trained. Yes, good training (and more important, keeping current) are great, but one day it will be tired, non standard circuit, talkative panniccing passenger and all your training is forgotten. 

@Joshua Blackh4t, your ideas are pretty good and I commend you for coming up with a genuinely cheap solution, plus I think you'll have fun developing this.  Even if it's just a one-off for yourself, you can post the design on the web and see what the power of open-source will do!

Still, training is the real solution.  The mind is a very plastic thing and able to rationalize away most warnings.  Example:  I was landing at a high-altitude Arizona airport, put my gear down mid-field, turned base then final, reduced power and my stall warning horn came on.  WTF?  I'm well above stall speed!  Actually, I'm still at 90 and not slowing down like I should in this configuration.  Gear switch is down!  But no light and no football on the floor (thought I had checked both of those!).  Ready for go-around, I swiped my fingers across the circuit breakers and found a popped one.  Pressed that in and 'tha-wunk' felt the gear come down, speed came down almost immediately and slid her down no problem.  It wasn't the stall warning horn, it was the gear warning horn. 

Now I throw the gear switch, check the light, and look at the football midfield.  Then I check the football again on base after going full flaps, and -with much prompting from my last CFI during last BFR - now check the green light coming over the fence.  Habits are the best strategy. (There but for the grace of God....)

But good on you, Josh.  Go for it!

[Danb]

On 11/26/2024 at 7:49 AM, skykrawler said:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/microkit_landinggear.php

But I think this sort of thing is a crutch.

Really. 

[Pinecone]

On 12/11/2024 at 7:38 AM, 00-Negative said:

So do you think the ground personnel warning system is a bigger factor for lower rates of gear-up landings per hour flown by military pilots than regular repetitive redundant training exercises? I wonder how often the flare is used to prevent a near-miss. I'd bet that pilot gets some crap from his peers if he gets a flare popped because his gear isn't down.

-David

Yes, getting a flare popped is going to get you ribbed for years.  The flare is only used if the pilot does not hear/respond to the radio calls.

[AJ88V]

55 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Yes, getting a flare popped is going to get you ribbed for years.  The flare is only used if the pilot does not hear/respond to the radio calls.

I worry when I see the fire trucks and a foam cannon.  Hardly ever happens anymore......