
16 • Landings
moves lower in the windshield, lower the pitch until the aiming point is back
in the correct, stationary position. If the aiming point moves toward the top of
the windshield, increase the pitch until the aiming point is back in the correct,
stationary position.
TIP:
During a visual approach and landing, if the airplane is
trimmed for the correct approach speed with the correct power
set, much of the pilot’s attention can be on maintaining a constant
angle glidepath to the aiming point. A majority of the pilot’s scan
should be outside the airplane, devoted to the aiming point and
looking for traffic, with periodic instrument checks.
Power
During a stabilized approach and landing, use power to control deviations from
the desired approach speed while maintaining a constant angle glidepath to
the aiming point. If the airspeed is fast, reduce power while maintaining the
constant angle glidepath. If the airspeed is slow, add power while maintaining
the constant angle glidepath.
Since a constant angle glidepath is a requirement for a stabilized approach,
airspeed deviations should be corrected by adjusting power. Changing pitch to
correct airspeed deviations during a stabilized approach will cause an excursion
from the constant angle glidepath, resulting in an unstable approach.
Approach Speeds
For training and testing purposes, use the following approach speeds as a
reference plus the appropriate gust factor until landing is assured.
Flaps 0˚ to 20˚— 70 KIAS
Flaps 30˚ or greater — 65 KIAS (62 KIAS for short-field landing)
TIP:
For training purposes landing is considered assured when the
aircraft is lined up and will make the paved runway surface in the
current configuration without power.
Gust Factor
Slightly higher approach speeds should be used under turbulent or gusty wind
conditions. A good rule-of-thumb is to add ½ the gust factor to the normal
approach speed. For example, it the wind is reported 8 gusting to 18 knots, the
gust factor is 10 knots. Add ½ the gust factor, 5 knots in this example, to the
normal approach speed.