Sierra Tango
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IFR Cat and Duck Method
Basic rules for the Cat and Duck Method of flying under the hood are fairly well known and are, of course, quite simple.
1. Place a live cat on the cockpit floor. Because a cat always remains upright, he or she can be used in lieu of a needle and ball. Merely watch and see which way it leans to determine if a wing is low, and if so, which wing.
2. The duck is used for the instrument approach and landing. Due to the fact that any sensible duck will refuse to fly under instrument conditions, it is necessary only to fling your duck out of the airplane and follow him/her to the ground.
There are some limitations to the Cat and Duck Method, but rigidly adhering to the following checklist will ensure a degree of success which will surely startle you, your passengers, and maybe even an itinerant Controller.
Check List
1. Get a wide awake cat. Most cats do not want to stand up at all and any time. It may be necessary to get a large fierce dog to carry in the cockpit to keep the cat alert.
2. Make sure your cat is clean. Dirty cats will devote too much of their time to washing. Trying to follow a washing cat usually results in a tight snap roll followed by an inverted flat spin.
3. Old cats are best. Young cats have nine lives but an old, used up cat with only one life left has just as much to lose as you do and will prove to be far more dependable.
4. Avoid stray cats. Try to get one with a good pedigree. Your veterinarian can help you locate a cat of good character, or try a good breeding farm. If in the city, try a reputable cat house.
5. Beware of cowardly ducks. If the duck discovers that you are using the cat to stay upright, he/she will refuse to leave without the cat. Ducks are no better on instruments than you are.
6. Be sure the duck has good eyesight. Near-sighted ducks sometimes fail to realize that they are on the gauges. The will go flogging along into the nearest hill. Very near-sighted ducks will not realize that they have been thrown out and will descend in a sitting position. This maneuver is very difficult to follow in an airplane.
7. Use land loving ducks. It is very discouraging to break out at 200 ft. and find yourself on final for a large lake. In hunting season, this can prove to be a problem due to the lack of judgment of duck hunters. They will shoot at anything flying.
Basic rules for the Cat and Duck Method of flying under the hood are fairly well known and are, of course, quite simple.
1. Place a live cat on the cockpit floor. Because a cat always remains upright, he or she can be used in lieu of a needle and ball. Merely watch and see which way it leans to determine if a wing is low, and if so, which wing.
2. The duck is used for the instrument approach and landing. Due to the fact that any sensible duck will refuse to fly under instrument conditions, it is necessary only to fling your duck out of the airplane and follow him/her to the ground.
There are some limitations to the Cat and Duck Method, but rigidly adhering to the following checklist will ensure a degree of success which will surely startle you, your passengers, and maybe even an itinerant Controller.
Check List
1. Get a wide awake cat. Most cats do not want to stand up at all and any time. It may be necessary to get a large fierce dog to carry in the cockpit to keep the cat alert.
2. Make sure your cat is clean. Dirty cats will devote too much of their time to washing. Trying to follow a washing cat usually results in a tight snap roll followed by an inverted flat spin.
3. Old cats are best. Young cats have nine lives but an old, used up cat with only one life left has just as much to lose as you do and will prove to be far more dependable.
4. Avoid stray cats. Try to get one with a good pedigree. Your veterinarian can help you locate a cat of good character, or try a good breeding farm. If in the city, try a reputable cat house.
5. Beware of cowardly ducks. If the duck discovers that you are using the cat to stay upright, he/she will refuse to leave without the cat. Ducks are no better on instruments than you are.
6. Be sure the duck has good eyesight. Near-sighted ducks sometimes fail to realize that they are on the gauges. The will go flogging along into the nearest hill. Very near-sighted ducks will not realize that they have been thrown out and will descend in a sitting position. This maneuver is very difficult to follow in an airplane.
7. Use land loving ducks. It is very discouraging to break out at 200 ft. and find yourself on final for a large lake. In hunting season, this can prove to be a problem due to the lack of judgment of duck hunters. They will shoot at anything flying.
