Vmc Demo - With or without flaps -

[avbug]

As a check airman, CFI, examiner, FAA Inspector, I never blocked the rudder for a demo or checkride.

Blocking the rudder isn't for the student's benefit; it's for yours. It's a safety issue. The student really ought to be able to do partial panel at night in turbulence, but one need not wait for those conditions to put them through training or a practical test, and one need not let the student go to a full Vmc departure without any reserve rudder available, either.

Blocking the rudder is a safety technique, and a valid one. It robs the student of nothing, and it can be used to enhance training. In an airplane that won't reach a departure until very close to or below a stall, blocking a rudder ensures a departure or signs thereof at a higher speed, while still maintaining safety. It ensures the student gets to see, feel, and demonstrate the loss of directional control as well as the recovery in a positive and safe manner.

It's prudent and proper.

 

[nosehair]

Blocking the rudder is a safety technique, and a valid one. It robs the student of nothing

I am so surprised to see you take that side.

I am in disagreement with you and anyone qwho believes this tecnique 'robs the student of nothing'.

Yes, it is a valid and safe technique to begin with, and to show the loss of heading control that would occur in a faster Vmc airplane, but...the airplane's handling characteristics are unique approaching stall/Vmc in most of today's light twin trainers, and every pilot student must 'handle' the airplane in that condition.

You do know that the muti-engine PTS does not allow blocking the rudder, don't you?

It used to be on the PTS, matter of fact, it was added back when the current twins with counter-rotating props and Vmc/stall the same came on the scene.

But they took it off a few years ago.