BMS F-16C/D 4.34, Flight Manual

Page: 216 / 234

T.O. BMS1F-16CM-1 BMS 4.34 Change 2.00
BMS 4.34 Dash 1
© Red Dog 2012-2019
Page: 216
The Straight-in Approach
This procedure is comparable to a long 7° AOA glide to the runway threshold at best range speed
(210 knots), with the gear up until the initial aim-point is 11-17° below the horizon. Landing gear
should be lowered and the glide continued at best speed with gear down (200 knots) until the flare.
As in the overhead pattern 3 points can be defined, each with a reference altitude:
•
POINT A: 8 Nm from the runway (aligned), with an altitude of 7000 feet AGL.
•
POINT B: 4 Nm from the runway (aligned), with an altitude of 4000 - 6000 feet AGL.
•
AREA C: between 0 and 4 Nm from the runway threshold.
Judging when the aim-point is 11-17° below the horizon to start your final descent is not easy.
A good visual cue is when the aim-point (runway touch down point) is at the bottom of the HUD.
If the altitude of 7000 feet was maintained the aim-point would disappear under the nose between 6
(point B1) and 4 Nm (Point B2) from the runway. The straight-in approach would be successful at this
altitude up to point B2. Past B2 you would have too much energy to succeed in landing even with full
speed brakes and landing gear deployed.