Well Ashling – I think we’ve broken the ice here. When you mentioned “velocity vectors,” I understood that you’re describing flying with an operational HUD system – at least some of the time. I don’t know the specific system you use, but I’ll bet it has a “flare cue,” and when you follow it, by placing the flight path vector in proper relation to that cue, it will put you on the runway pretty nicely all the time. I believe it will also give you a different flare attitude for differing weight conditions; but I also believe that if you follow it, it will initially take you a level flight attitude for a specific airspeed. However, because your airspeed will be decaying, you won’t fly at a level height above the runway, even though you keep the FPV in the proper reference to the flare cue. I also suspect that the flare cue will have you keep your pitch attitude constant through to the touchdown.
Again, I’m not sure how your HUD system works – you describe a velocity vector – I’m going out on a limb here, but I think I would call that the flight path vector … where the airplane is actually heading. It is not the “boresight” (the nose of the aircraft), but actually where the airplane is headed – the vector of the airplane’s flight path at that moment. If you put the FPV on the horizon, you’ll be flying level with the horizon (or level). If you place that FPV at 3 degrees down, you’ll be flying a path that is 3 degrees below level – but you’ll be doing that at whatever airspeed you have – and you can increase or decrease the airspeed, keeping the FPV on that 3 degree reference and you’ll still be flying a flight path that is 3 degrees below level – and you’ll be changing your rate of descent as you change your airspeed.
Your statement …
Originally Posted by Ashling
Look at the velocity vector when you are level, it will sit at 0 degrees irrespective of the actual nose attitude. Now, maintaining your speed, lower your attitude 3 degrees from that level attitude and you will see the velocity vector sit on 3 degrees nose down, you are now on a 3 degree glide…
…is accurate, but you are descending on an angle that is 3 degrees below “level” – and while you say you should “maintain your airspeed,” I think it is true that you will be on a 3 degree angle regardless of your airspeed; resulting in varying rates of descent depending on that airspeed. A 3-degree ILS glide slope is a hard 3 degree angle – irrespective of speed flown on that angle. You can come down that angular glide path at any airspeed you choose, but your rate of descent will be different as you adjust your airspeed; shallower at slower speeds, and steeper at higher airspeeds all while maintaining that 3-degree glide slope.
Additionally, I would suspect that if you pay attention to where that flare cue is directing the FPV, and associate that with what the airplane “feels” like each time you do that, regardless of the aircraft gross weight, you will become quite adept at being able to “feel” that same thing at differing weights on your own. Being able to “feel” that level flight attitude is what I’m describing. THAT attitude that the flare cue initially takes you to is the level flight attitude I am describing. You won’t fly level because your airspeed is decreasing. But you hold that attitude anyway. Using a HUD system is probably the very best aid in helping pilots learn this. Of course, if you use the HUD all the time, and it never fails, you won’t ever have to depend on anything other than following the flare cue. But … show me something that never changes and never breaks and always works correctly.
Try something … the next time you’re in the simulator (as I don’t recommend doing this in the airplane, ha) …as you approach to land, using the HUD, follow the flare cue to the attitude it directs – but just a scant whisper before you get to that flare attitude, engage the autothrottles (or advance the power slightly) to maintain THAT airspeed. See what happens at that airspeed and at that “flare attitude.” I don’t know what the flare cue will do – increase, decrease, go away – I don’t know … but maintain the FPV at the attitude the flare cue directed you to achieve initially – and maintain that attitude and airspeed. I’d be curious to know what happens to the airplane … Climb? Descend? Fly level?
Ashling, my friend, I also hope your days are uneventful, full of sunshine, and nothing more than calm winds.
I recognize that some here are way too over-taxed to learn to do this. Fine. Don’t attempt it.
Originally Posted by airbus757
Have you read the last post? It is ridiculous to think that all that information is going to help some Pilot who is in training and trying to get used to a new airplane … I am disputing the idea that it will help someone who is learning to land a new type … I say if things were kept simple they would have a better chance of passing, after all they are already pilots … People just need some simple tips, practice, and confidence ... All this complicated and theoretical talk is fine, but it my opinion it should be meant to help fine tune someone who already has experience's technique … It will not help someone who is still trying to pick out where the N1 indicator is.
Different instructors attempt to do different things with their students. I know what I do with mine … please feel free to do what you, your company, and your regulatory authority deem to be appropriate with yours. Aside from the fact that I’m confused about trying to teach someone about landing when they can’t find the N1 indicator, my question would be, is there any appropriate time to provide a “new” student with an understanding of what is going on in the airplane – or do we let him or her pick that up individually, by themselves? Forgive me, I was taught that flying isn’t necessarily supposed to be “easy.” I’m not interested in simply getting the pilot to “pass” the check. I want to make sure that when that student heads to the airplane, we’ve given him, or her, the very best opportunity to understand how the airplane performs and handles. It’s complicated and demanding. Of course anyone may argue with me (many do, in fact) but I believe that the more a student understands about the “why” and “how,” the better he or she will be able to handle the “what” and “when.”