Anyone here ever fly an MU-2

[Lead Sled]

...At approach speed, with the spoilerons, they are very ineffective...

Let me pick a nit or two here. The MU-2 does not have spoilerons, Lear 35s and aircraft like B-727 have spoilerons. The MU-2 has spoilers for roll control and small "trim ailerons" for trim on the roll axis.

Since the spoilers are actually quite small (As I remember, they were about the size of a yard stick. Maybe a bit longer though - I'm going from memory and it's been 16 years since I last flew one.) As has been mentioned, they induce roll by distroying lift as opposed to creating it. Control "feel" is created by springs attached to the system and is constant throughout the aircraft speed range. The spoilers are very effective at approach speeds; but, as you would imagine, they are more effective at higher speeds. From a pilot's point of view, it just means that, at approach speeds, you need more control movement to get the same response from the airplane that you would at cruise speed. It doesn't take much to get used to, but as someone already mentioned, the airplane like to be flown fast.

Proper trim is very critical in the MU-2, especially when operating on a single engine. The trim ailerons are employed to keep the wings level without having a spoiler raised. This keeps the wing doing what it was designed to do - fly. You use the autopilot a lot in the MU-2. It's importent to monitor the control wheel position frequently and adjust the trim as necessary during flight to make sure that it's level - indicating that the spoilers are flush. Other wise you're going to be cruising around with a spoiler up and a resultant loss of lift.

The MU-2s have a reputation for "firm" arrivals. Greasers are rare, but every once in a while you'll get one. Savor them, they're rare.

One other thing, with the power pulled back to flight idle, those big 4-bladed props tend to blank out a big chunk of the wingspan. The descent rate that you can get is astounding - the puppy can really fall out of the sky when you need it to.

Oh well, you can tell that I'm bored - it's been a long layover here in D.C.

Later,

Lead Sled

 

[bart]

Oh yeah, the landings...

If you set everything up just right and come in right on speed and with just the right power and no wind and just the right attitude and the sun, stars and moon are all lined up, and you grease it on, it was pure luck.

Only airplane I ever flew that demanded so much attention, skill and healthy doses of luck to get a greaser.

 

[Lead Sled]

Oh yeah, the landings...

If you set everything up just right and come in right on speed and with just the right power and no wind and just the right attitude and the sun, stars and moon are all lined up, and you grease it on, it was pure luck.

Only airplane I ever flew that demanded so much attention, skill and healthy doses of luck to get a greaser.

That explains it! I had always thought that the way you held your mouth had something to do with it as well. I didn't realize that there were also cosmic implications. Some how it makes perfect sense though.

Lead Sled

 

[gear_guy]

That explains it! I had always thought that the way you held your mouth had something to do with it as well.

Oh yah! If you don't do the "Micheal Jordan tongue", you're lucky to walk away from it.

 

[Alchemy]

So when are we getting our MU-2 Big D, and what are the minimums to instruct in it?

But seriously....loud airplane, just like anything with garrets, and for some reason the MU2 always seemed louder than the metroliners, BE100's, or cheyenne III/400LS.

Only thing worse is a T-37....