Dang! I guess that's why they give you guys an AOA indicator that we mere
civilians don't seem to rate (but should, it's so damed simple). I assume
you're right-seater was a second away from getting that nasty gear up?
You were empty and light on fuel when you did that?
Guess that's useful when some SOB with a smuggled SAM is hanging
around outside the airport boundary.
I remember the old 727s, when fuel was cheap and noise was okay
getting out of town like that. The Canadair RJ's still can do it.
I have an Ercoupe with an extra 25HP in the nose, and delighted in
holding her on ('Coupe's have a negative AOA on the ground and
landing gear that's engineered like a Tomcat's) up to about 150% Vx
and then dragging it back hard on departure from 'Coupe fly-ins.
You'd hear 'Jeeesus!' over the radio as the thing climbs like a
scalded cat (all 100HP of that mighty O-200A). No worries--- if
it stalls it just drops the nose and comes back into control. Guaranteed
not to spin (ah gee, where's the sport in that?) and continues to 'mush'
with a positive rate-of-climb as long as the power is on. Off, it just
sinks rather like an upholstered brick. But, the ailerons still work, and
even in the right direction. Don't try this with a Citabria, kids!
RV-8s with 200HP and CS props are fun in 'power over sanity' mode,
too.
But it's a real hoot to see a transport do it.
