PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - controls speed & power controls descent rate
Old 20th May 2002 | 13:32
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Noggin
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 284
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From: UK
High on approach:

A) Reduce Power to increase ROD
Lower Nose to retain airspeed

or

B) Lower nose to maintain flight path
Decrease power to maintain airspeed

either equate to the same thing, however A tends to take a little longer than B, which when combined with increased inertia, leaves B as the better alternative.

PPL teaching generally assumes low inertia aeroplanes where under some circumstances you may not have sufficient power to maintain the desired airspeed. As a result, PPL teaching traditionally involves using attitude to control airspeed on an approach.

In contrast the teaching for turning, involves using attitude or pitch to maintain height/ altitude whilst power controls speed. Possibly, because it is normal to accept a loss of 5 Kts in a medium turn the power/speed relationship is overlooked.

The next time you fly a visual approach, try method B, you'll probably never go back to method A again unles you fly TMGs.
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