Re: Pulling a Stop to Runway Overruns
There is general agreement about the theory of how progressive back stick during landing should increase main wheel load and assist braking, although there are some interesting and debatable explanations of the physics, actually mechanics, of how this is achieved.
There have been several parallel inputs about the overall effectiveness of the technique when applying it practically to a wide range of aircraft and operations, and many issues have been identified which could negate any improvement or even be detrimental to safety, especially in crosswinds.
Given these inputs, it is difficult to understand how individuals can persist with the view that their specific experiences on one or a few aircraft will apply universally to all aircraft and operations. There is an overwhelming need to remind operators to heed manufacture’s advice to ensure continued safe operations; the doubters should read the thread on the Emirates A340 incident.
I had hoped that from the posts of 10th Jan alternative aspects of the ‘interest in stopping pointless overruns’ would be explored.
There have been several threads on the hazards of contaminated runways (where 67% margin may not be available), and then there are the issues of landing long and / or fast, for which there are approved solutions with proven safety benefits.
In recent years, there has been more focus on human factors, particularly the frailties in awareness and decision making. Therefore, perhaps the safety focus that we require is ensuring pilots’ use of their ‘superior judgment’ before landing, rather than the superior skill on the runway, which some would claim.