BMS F-16C/D 4.34, Flight Manual

Page: 214 / 234

T.O. BMS1F-16CM-1 BMS 4.34 Change 2.00
BMS 4.34 Dash 1
© Red Dog 2012-2019
Page: 214
The Overhead Approach
The overhead flameout approach is made up of three distinctive points called HIGH KEY, LOW KEY
and BASE KEY. Each key is associated with a minimum altitude ensuring that the flameout approach
can be concluded with a safe landing. The pattern can be entered at any point, provided the next key
altitude can be reached.
HIGH KEY: 1/3 down the landing runway at 7000
– 10000 feet.
LOW KEY: abeam rollout point on final at 3000
– 5000 feet.
BASE KEY: midpoint of the turn from downwind to final no lower than 2000 AGL.
The whole approach is flown at best range airspeed (210 knots) gear up. Optimum bank angles are
50° for gear up and 55° gear down. Anything above optimum bank angle induces a significant loss of
altitude per degree of turn.
The gear is only lowered when it becomes certain that BASE key altitude can be reached. Best range
speed with gear down is 10 knots less than gear up best range speed (200 knots). You may need to
use the alternate gear handle to lower the landing gear.
If EPU fuel is less than 25% when reaching high key you may run out of EPU fuel during the
procedure, ejection will then be your only way out.