"DEAD STICK"

If you have been flying for any length of time, you've heard the term: "Dead Stick" or "Dead Stick Landing".

Do you know what it really means?

The usual answer is:   "Oh, that's when you have no control of the airplane - the control stick is a "dead stick" and I'll have to make a "dead stick landing" with possibly little or no aircraft control".

Well ...    here is the real meaning:

      The term "Dead Stick" started back during early aviation when airplanes, and
      especially engines were not very reliable  --  the engine would all too often quit
      in flight, for no apparent reason, and the propeller would act as though it were
      a "dead stick", or a useless (dead) stick of wood.

      Of course one would have complete control (of the rest of the plane) and glide
      to a landing.   Usually not a smooth, or even a safe landing, but at least one
      that's in control.


So there you have it.

Keep-em-flying.

Brad