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Old 27th Jul 2010, 21:55
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DFC
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Both involve coming over the threshold at 63kt... Trickling the power off from the threshold to the flare (whilst maintaining the 63kt) being sure to leave a small amount of power on which is removed in a coordinated fashion at the beginning of the flare.

I have highlighted where you are going wrong.

You need to fly a stable trimmed approach at the appropriate speed and in the appropriate configuration towards the aiming point at the correct approach angle.

If you are looking at the airspeed indicator at any time after crossing the threshold then you need to stop asap. Look out the window. Provided you have flown a stable approach with an appropriate speed down to the threshold (about 50ft) then unless you do something drastic the speed will not change.

After crossing the threshold what you have to do is continue the flight towards the aiming point while ensuring that at the appropriate time you start reducing the rate of descent - don't look at the instrument look outside so that you hit the ground at a rate which will not break the aircraft. Ideally the descent will not stop but the rate will reduce which will cause two totehr things to happen;

1. The nose will rise protecting the nosewheel; and

2. The speed will reduce

These are good things and the principle will work from 115Kg Microlight to B747 provided you look out the window, assess what is actually happening and make appropriate control movements.

Of course you do have to close the throttle - at an appropriate stage. I recomend that you get a demonstration from your instructor but in simple terms abide by the following principle - if you are high on energy then you will close it earlier, if you are a bit low then later. Very few occasions will cause you to cross the threshold at exactly the desired speed.

How do you assess the energy? - On the ideal approach where you will cross the threshold at 50ft the just before crossing the threshold have a last look at the airspeed. If for example you are 10Kt fast in a heavy twin (plenty of momentum) then perhaps it is time to close the throttles now. If you are a few knots slow then delay closing the throttle(s). (If you are very slow then go arround.)

So look outside, assess the energy and use all the controls to reduce the rate of descent to an acceptable amount.

1.3 times the stall is the minimum approach speed to 50ft that can be used in the certification process. Unless you are involved in this then this is simply a theoretical figure and the figures published in the POH/AFM are the ones to be aware of.

So use the speed specified by the POH - discuss with FTO/RTF if different. If they are using a higher speed then they must have applied a factor to the published field performance figures.

In sumary - look outside and use the controls to reduce (not stop) the rate of descent to a reasonable amount and accept that it is a good thing to loose some energy between the end of the approach (50ft) and touchdown.

Last edited by DFC; 27th Jul 2010 at 22:12.
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