Tutorial How to loop the T6
Posted: 31 Mar 2016, 23:30
Loops in the AT6 are pretty straight forward. You can do a loop at most any airspeed between 190mph and 210mph. Just remember, you have to play the g required against the airspeed. 4 g's is about max for a loop in the T6 and a 4g loop is optimized at about 190 mph so that's a good combination to shoot for.
Set up at METO power. Most aerobatics done in the AT6 along level flight such as rolls and requiring a pull into the vertical plane are done using METO power (30 inches and 2000RPM. Note that maneuvers begun from level flight into a downline such as a Split S are initiated at no more than 100mph and idle power.
Now for your loop; Start at no lower than 3000 feet AGL. Using METO power, lower the nose to around 25 degrees and seek your entry airspeed of 190mph. Reaching 190 start a smooth pull to 4g's and look out to your left wingtip (Track IR makes this much easier but you can do it using a hat. Checking the left wingtip now you are pulling into the vertical plane. Here's what to watch for concerning your wingtip. There is a relationship between your wingtip and the horizon and that relationship is directly connected to your rudder. For the first 135 degrees of your loop you want to be flying the airplane using that wingtip out there as your guide to directional control. Here's what to look for.
If that left wingtip is on the horizon you are pulling in a straight line which is what you want. Now..if that wingtip is below the horizon line you are yawing left of your desired line. Bring the tip back to the horizon with right rudder. The reverse is true if the tip is above the horizon line. In that case you are yawing to the right so bring the tip back with left rudder.
Conversely, if the tip is moving forward on the horizon line you are turning left. Right aileron to stop that. Reverse for the tip moving backward on the horizon line. You are then turning right. Left aileron to fix that.
Remember, if your coordination is off on your initial pull you could be experiencing a combination of these errors so be watchful. That wingtip out there is your attitude guide for that first 135 degrees. It tells all so correct whatever the wingtip is telling you to correct. This takes practice so don't despair. Remember, anyone can pull on a stick or yoke and loop an airplane. But that usually results in a dirty loop with the aircraft all over the sky just going where it wants to go. A GOOD loop requires an on heading entry, on heading execution, and an on heading recovery.
Now at 135 degrees on your vertical line, switch your view up and backward and pick up the horizon. Make a correction to a wings level inverted attitude here and follow through with your backside recovery.
Watch your airspeed here. You should be around 80mph at the top inverted. If you have done everything correctly you should be able to complete the loop on heading and without touching the power. Judge your recovery with the ASI. A little high is ok but again done perfectly, the loop should have you recovered back in level flight at the entry altitude and the entry airspeed.
Have fun
Dudley Henriques
Set up at METO power. Most aerobatics done in the AT6 along level flight such as rolls and requiring a pull into the vertical plane are done using METO power (30 inches and 2000RPM. Note that maneuvers begun from level flight into a downline such as a Split S are initiated at no more than 100mph and idle power.
Now for your loop; Start at no lower than 3000 feet AGL. Using METO power, lower the nose to around 25 degrees and seek your entry airspeed of 190mph. Reaching 190 start a smooth pull to 4g's and look out to your left wingtip (Track IR makes this much easier but you can do it using a hat. Checking the left wingtip now you are pulling into the vertical plane. Here's what to watch for concerning your wingtip. There is a relationship between your wingtip and the horizon and that relationship is directly connected to your rudder. For the first 135 degrees of your loop you want to be flying the airplane using that wingtip out there as your guide to directional control. Here's what to look for.
If that left wingtip is on the horizon you are pulling in a straight line which is what you want. Now..if that wingtip is below the horizon line you are yawing left of your desired line. Bring the tip back to the horizon with right rudder. The reverse is true if the tip is above the horizon line. In that case you are yawing to the right so bring the tip back with left rudder.
Conversely, if the tip is moving forward on the horizon line you are turning left. Right aileron to stop that. Reverse for the tip moving backward on the horizon line. You are then turning right. Left aileron to fix that.
Remember, if your coordination is off on your initial pull you could be experiencing a combination of these errors so be watchful. That wingtip out there is your attitude guide for that first 135 degrees. It tells all so correct whatever the wingtip is telling you to correct. This takes practice so don't despair. Remember, anyone can pull on a stick or yoke and loop an airplane. But that usually results in a dirty loop with the aircraft all over the sky just going where it wants to go. A GOOD loop requires an on heading entry, on heading execution, and an on heading recovery.
Now at 135 degrees on your vertical line, switch your view up and backward and pick up the horizon. Make a correction to a wings level inverted attitude here and follow through with your backside recovery.
Watch your airspeed here. You should be around 80mph at the top inverted. If you have done everything correctly you should be able to complete the loop on heading and without touching the power. Judge your recovery with the ASI. A little high is ok but again done perfectly, the loop should have you recovered back in level flight at the entry altitude and the entry airspeed.
Have fun
Dudley Henriques
