F
F
L
L
I
I
G
G
H
H
T
T
T
T
R
R
A
A
I
I
N
N
I
I
N
N
G
G
S
S
U
U
P
P
P
P
L
L
E
E
M
M
E
E
N
N
T
T
for SPORT
STAR
Light Sport Aircraft
Document No.: S2006FTSUS Revision: -
Date of Issue: 15/01/2006
Page:
91/130
to descend even with the flaps fully extended. The rate of descent will be
around 1400 ft/min (7 m/s ).
The best glide ratio of the Sportstar is approx. 9:1 and is achieved with the
wing flaps retracted, at idle and at an airspeed of 57 KIAS, 105 km/h, 65
mph, when the rate of descent varies around 630 ft/min (3.2 m/s).
If you need to loose altitude as fast as possible , then instead of slipping it
is recommended with the Sportstar to fully extend the wing flaps and glide
at 65 KIAS, 120 km/h, 75 mph.
When the angle of descent is too steep be careful of loose items in your
baggage compartment or on the next to make sure that nothing will fall
forward and injure you or block the control system. As well when flying in
turbulence loose items might be elected from the baggage compartment
and injure you.
When descending at idle it is not necessary to apply pressure to the right
rudder pedal to eliminate engine reaction moment (as is necessary in a
climb), just slightly deflect the left pedal to keep the ball of the turn indicator
in the middle. This is because a fixed trim tab attached to the rudder, which
the deflection is set for cruise regime within 4800-5000 rpm.
4.13.2 Power off Descent
Gliding with power off is easy with the Sportstar and no exceptional pilot
technique or control forces are needed, airplane controllability and
maneuverability is fully kept. Optimum gliding speed is 57 KIAS, 105 km/h,
65 mph with the wing flaps retracted.
4.13.3 Intentional In-flight Engine Shutdown
If you would like to switch off the engine in flight then pull the throttle lever
fully back to idle (press the button with your thumb, pull the throttle back
and turn the throttle knob fully anticlockwise), slow the airplane to 59 KIAS,
110 km/h, 68 mph. Then switch off the ignition by turning the ignition key
fully anticlockwise. The prop will continue in rotation (wind-milling regime).
To fully stop the rotation of the prop it will be necessary to pull the control
stick until the airspeed drops to approximately 49 KIAS, 90 km/h, 56 mph
and the prop should stop. Then slightly push the control stick forward to go
into a descent at 57-59 KIAS, 105-110 km/h, 65-68 mph. The propeller
usually does not begin to turn below 70 KIAS, 130 km/h, 81 mph however
above this speed it does.
