Aeronca Champion
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 7.5; Flight Crew Total 70; Flight Crew Type 4.2
Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Human Factors; Airport
I was practicing takeoffs and landings at a local uncontrolled airstrip.  I recently got my tailwheel endorsement but I was with my instructor to keep practicing tailwheel until I felt more confident. I was flying an Aeronca Champ. Weather conditions were clear; with a slight haze but 10 SM+ visibility. I started my turn to base a bit early as I was practicing landings without power. This was my second trip through the pattern; I was aware that there was a parachute aircraft high above the airport that just let some jumpers go; and a Cessna in the pattern with me. The aircraft I was flying does not have a radio. I was doing 60 MPH on final and approaching fairly steeply due to the power off landing. I'd guess I was 300 feet AGL when a small aircraft (I think a Lancair) flew right under me; moving much faster than me. I'd say he was 50-100 feet below me. I turned to the left and started climbing because he was slightly on my right. I performed a 360 to the left and landed. We taxied behind the aircraft that passed under us and he seemed oblivious. We wanted to talk to him but he just taxied back and took off again. I went back home and listened to a recording I had of the CTAF from liveatc.net; and I can't hear anything from him to indicate the other aircraft knew what happened. I also noticed the other aircraft was calling out a 1 mile final in his pattern. I believe this was a failure on the part of both aircraft to see the other (me when turning base and him when over (under) taking me on final). I think that if I had a radio this would have not happened (I plan to use a handheld in the future when possible). I think the short base I took coupled with the long base the other aircraft was on contributed.  Ultimately while I think both parties were responsible for seeing each other; I feel the other aircraft had a greater responsibility as he was moving faster than me from behind. The other aircraft was a low wing; so it should have had excellent visibility of our aircraft from below.
Aeronca Champ pilot experiences a NMAC with a Lancair who flew under him on short final to an uncontrolled airport. The Champ pilot was making power off landings which resulted in steep approaches and had no radio.