Van's Aircraft RV-12, Pilot Operating Handbook

Page: 94 / 99

Revision: 3 Date:12/03/14
RV-12 PILOT'S OPERATING HANDBOOK
9-5
Strive to maintain airspeed while varying descent
rate as little as possible. Strive to make pitch and
power adjustments as small and as smooth as
possible.
APPROACH & LANDING
Enter the landing pattern at target airspeed and altitude.
Maintain traffic pattern altitude and adjust power so as to
arrive on downwind opposite the target touch-down point at
80 kt IAS and at target altitude. Smoothly reduce power to
idle maintaining target altitude until airspeed decays to 65 kt
IAS. Lower flaps to ½ deflection and allow airspeed to
decay to 55 kt IAS. Maintain target airspeed by allowing
altitude to decay.
Choose point for base turn so as to allow for arrival at the
target touch-down point while maintaining engine power at
idle. Vary descent rate by lowering flaps to full deflection.
Choose point for turn to final so as to allow for ground
contact at the target touch-down point at minimum airspeed
while maintaining engine power at idle.
Descent rate may be increased by slipping the aircraft.
Descent rate may be decreased by addition of engine
power.
Strive to maintain target airspeed until initiating the
landing flare. Strive to touch-down at target touch-
down point at minimum airspeed without the need
to add power or slip the aircraft. Strive to touch-
down on runway centerline. Strive to touch-down as
smoothly as possible.
Maintain nose-high attitude after touch-down as long as
possible after touch-down.