{"id":4763,"date":"2018-03-22T16:50:43","date_gmt":"2018-03-22T23:50:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tailwheelersjournal.mechadigital.net\/?p=4763"},"modified":"2021-08-26T20:37:53","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T20:37:53","slug":"the-irrigation-pivot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tailwheelersjournal.com\/the-irrigation-pivot\/","title":{"rendered":"#200 The Irrigation Pivot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Written in July of 2016<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They say that \u201cEven a blind squirrel occasionally gets a nut\u201d.\u00a0 I found one after I became a flight instructor.\u00a0 When I was a student pilot, I was familiarized with the classic Private Pilot exercise, the \u201cTurn about a Point\u201d.\u00a0 A couple of things about this maneuver were pretty frustrating.\u00a0 One, was the actual circle:\u00a0 How did I know that I was actually flying a true circle if I could only identify a few points around it?\u00a0 Also, most student pilots, who are familiarized with the maneuver, are told where the wingtip should be if there is any wind.\u00a0 That causes them to be sorely tempted to \u201ccheat\u201d with rudder in order to put the wingtip where it should be.\u00a0 So their coordination goes to hell in a handbasket as they slip and skid to position that wingtip. \u00a0I found myself wishing that someone could simply paint a big circle that I could follow.<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Our destination is in site and we are beginning our approach.\u00a0 The irrigation pivot is pretty easy to spot because of its greenness.\u00a0 The wheel tracks which will designate our circle will be more and more apparent as we drop into the field.<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Years ago, my wish came true. \u00a0I was flying with a primary student and I spotted a big irrigation pivot that had been freshly mowed.\u00a0 The wheel tracks were very visible and served as the actual circle.\u00a0 I discovered that if I brought the aircraft down to about five AGL, I could very<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

As Lana descends into the pivot, she gets a good look at the wheel tracks, which will determine her exact circular course.\u00a0 Try that from 1,000 feet with few references!<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

accurately fly that circle.\u00a0 By changing the bank angle, I could keep the airplane right over one of the wind rows, precisely half way between the outer wheel track and the next one in.\u00a0 Coordination could be easily determined by upper body position.\u00a0 Yup, \u201ceven a blind squirrel occasionally gets a nut\u201d, and this was my nut.<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

Not only does the Irrigation Pivot help to develop the pilot\u2019s sense of coordination (they don\u2019t dare look at the \u201cball\u201d for help, besides, it is covered with tape anyway), but it also causes them to no longer be fearful of \u201cproximity flying\u201d.\u00a0 We fly the pivot at an altitude of five feet or so.<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brittany Reinbolt\u2019s shadow chases her.\u00a0 She\u2019s now at 5 AGL over the irrigation pivot.\u00a0 By feeling her upper body, she can detect her coordination.\u00a0 There is no need to see where her wingtip is\u2026 as long as it\u2019s not dragging in the grass!<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

The irrigation pivot is a grandly useful maneuver, because not only does it combine all the elements of the Turn About a Point, but it also adds the element of danger, excitement and consequence that comes with proximity flying.\u00a0 That is why it is this squirrel\u2019s nut.<\/h3>\n

<\/h3>\n

(The irrigation pivot can be flown legally according to 91.119.\u00a0 Just make sure you know that reg and conform to its requirements.)<\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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