Stinson 108: HOLY HAND-GRENADE!

I ain't no bush pilot but I have flown a 108 and it is a beautiful, smooth, stabile, well balanced airplane but I wouldn't mess around with 30 knot take offs unless you want to experience a 60 knot nose first landing. Not saying that it can't be done but I would get enough time in the airplane AT ALTITUDE doing many deep, rudder exercise stalls and get the feel of slow flight before messing around 20 feet off the ground in a near stall. One of my grizzled old instructors drilled into me one important rule after another but the one that will always save you is: " Altitude is airspeed and airspeed is altitude.!" You won't get one without the other and that brings up one of the airman's 10 Commandments : Thou shalt maintain airspeed lest the earth arise and smite thee ! Do a lot of " air work" and get to know the airplane at low speed. That has saved my butt more than once.
Bob

 

I should have mentioned that if you are going to do deep stalls in that airplane( or any other) get introduced to spins 'cause I guarentee that you are going to break into one the first time you don't keep the wings level.

 

I just thought about your flying the Citabria. Didn't you do spins in that airplane ? They are a good one to brush up on just about anything. i did spins in anything that wasn't placarded against it and I got to know stall characteristics and slow flight real well.

 

I was doing some thinking ( dangerous!) and I was wondering why anyone would want to yank a Stinson 108 off the ground at 30 Knots ? The slots and flaps are good for delaying stalls and smoothing things out for the pilot by preventing tip stalls but why stagger into the air when you don't need to. A 108 is such a nice airplane to fly, I envy you. They will teach you good technique besides.

 

You're correct in everything here. The good ol' slots keep the wings flying and coupled with limited elevator authority you can't get it to spin. At least, you are learning what it will do and what it won't do. I always liked that airplane for its pleasant and smooth flying qualities AND its pilot- friendly stall characteristics. Sounds like you're having fun.

 

Sooner, how is the flying going ?