Re: Pulling a Stop to Runway Overruns
Dagger Dirk indirectly highlights a very important consideration ... SOPs seek to address the fact that the guy on the line doesn't have all the information or answers and, to a significant degree, can insulate himself from embarrassment by sticking with the published words of wisdom .. not a guarantee, just an example of sensible risk management/minimisation.
So far as landing is concerned, the principal hazards which the pilot can influence include
(a) approach profile control, minimising float .. ie land shortly after the aiming point ... ALL the time, even if the runway has 15000 ft to play with.
(b) getting the configuration/speed correct - autobrake, autospoiler, flap setting, speed additives, manual brake, reverse and spoiler use, and so on.
At the end of the day, the pilot is paid to think and be aware of what is going on around him .. the enquiry will never be complimentary if the aircraft was hot, incorrectly configured, floated way in (how about a miss ?), boards/autobrake/reverse failed to operate .. but the pilot just sat there with a dazed expression on his face.
Some of us wonder whether this will become an increasing philosophical problem as/if the depth of training and knowledge is watered down in the pursuit of profit ?