Originally Posted by
usmc-sgt
It is not the ref speeds that are the problem with getting slow.
Some pilots (the inattentive bad ones) when slowing down to configure will pull power near idle to slow below 200 in a descent so they can start calling for flaps and gear and then the airplane levels off and they never add power back in. In less than a few seconds the speed deteriorates to the shaker.
It is not an issue with the speeds we fly, the planes we fly, the training we get, it is an issue with some of the terrible pilots colgan has hired and have somehow remained on the seniority list after NUMEROUS issues.
As for the pilot monitoring catching it when the pilot calls for gear down etc or the landing checklist in the time it takes us to pull out or 9"X11" checklist that blocks out the outside world and read the appropriate items the speed can go from 200 to 100 if level. It happens fast. After watching the video of the controls during the crash I know choose to not read checklist or do anything during the times when it would be a possibility that the airplane could get slow such as the above mentioned scenario. It takes 5 extra seconds and ensures me and the 74 people behind me get home. It has never been an issue for me or any of the guys I have flown with but id like to keep it that way.
Well said but I am have a issue with one part.
How many items is the landing checklist? Is it split into two sections? i.e. Above the line at gear down and below the line at final flaps? My issue is that when I flew the mega whacker, at gear down you had (I believe) 4-5 items on the list that max took 5-7 seconds to complete, half of that time you were heads up doing the items then verifying with the checklist. Below the line was 3 items that took maybe 5 seconds. I guess I am just rambling without a point. IF your guys are level and are going to idle with the power levers and such, this is a technique issue and needs to be nipped in the butt asap.