Final Approach
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Final Approach
Hey so I've started leaning to fly and I've got about 10 hours now but the one thing that's just kept bugging me is the final approach to land during circuits. I just can't seem to get it and have had to have many repeat lessons as a result. The problem I have is that I can't seem to have a stable final approach, I kinda go all over the place and can never really maintain the desired attitude and glide path. Any tips and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Try to get it sorted earlier ie on base leg. Once you are stabilized in that area, you will have more time & the final approach technique should be easier to establish. The more time you have in any particular part of the approach makes it easier to get the next stage right. However, everything takes time to get right when you are learning. Don't get discouraged. Keep on taking instruction & making your attempts at it &, eventually, it will come good. I always remember my first glide approach. It was perfect - the instructor said as much. But, I never quite did as well again !
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10 hours total, and many repeat lessons for the final visual phase, I'm confused. I would have thought that at 10 hours you would just about be starting the circuit training having got to grips with some of the basics of flying first.
Having said that, to answer your question, you need to scan scan scan. This will develop with time, and at 10 hours you won't be there yet. You need to have a set of datums to work round, you need a decent datum pitch attitude and power setting, then any corrections you make should be small around those datums, and once your correction is complete you should readily your datum setting. You need to look outside mostly, and have occasional quick glances at your IAS predominantly to adjust your power seating accordingly. When on the approach you will find that if you are stable, the TDZ will be in a constant spot in your windshield, if you keep it there then you won't deviate from your glide path.
Hope this helps, but, like I said in the first place, at 10 hours I wouldn't have expected you to be getting this right yet.
Having said that, to answer your question, you need to scan scan scan. This will develop with time, and at 10 hours you won't be there yet. You need to have a set of datums to work round, you need a decent datum pitch attitude and power setting, then any corrections you make should be small around those datums, and once your correction is complete you should readily your datum setting. You need to look outside mostly, and have occasional quick glances at your IAS predominantly to adjust your power seating accordingly. When on the approach you will find that if you are stable, the TDZ will be in a constant spot in your windshield, if you keep it there then you won't deviate from your glide path.
Hope this helps, but, like I said in the first place, at 10 hours I wouldn't have expected you to be getting this right yet.
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Yeah I started circuits at in my 7th lesson (after 7 hours)
Thanks for the tips, I definitely realised that I need to scan and lookout more. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon.
Thanks for the tips, I definitely realised that I need to scan and lookout more. Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon.
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Don't feel bad about it. My first attempt at landing a glider (total flying time up to then approx 20 minutes!). The air field (RAF Leeming) had a steep bank at the eastern end of the field. The idea was to land the glider as close to this bank as possible, minimising the distance the glider had to be dragged back for the next launch. The instructor explained how to go about it ,with the object of tucking the tail into the bottom of the bank. I got the speed right, controlled the elevation with the spoilers and all was going well. Suddenly, the instructor yanked the stick out of my hand, took over and landed. I asked him what was that all about and he explained; I had been so focussed on aiming at the right spot, I had been leaning forward more and more as we closed on it. Problem was, I was holding the stick so firmly, as I leaned forward, I took the stick forward with me! We were heading for a Kamikaze landing but I hadn't noticed! The only thing in my vision at the time was that piece of grass!
I have no idea if this will help but FWIW:
Firstly you need to allow the aircraft to become stable before you can make a judgement on what it is doing and before you can make adjustments.
A big bit of that is trimming.
1. Assume you have set descent power, initial flap etc
2. Right from the start, pick a nose attitude. Place the horizon in your windshield where you think should be appropriate for your descent profile to give you the right speed. (Don't worry if it is not 100% right yet - you will get better at judging it with practice). Don't allow it to be just anywhere or approximately where you want - place it there and hold it there.
3. without allowing that attitude to change, trim the elevator so it will maintain it with finger tip pressure on the stick/column (doesn't necessarily mean you will be using fingertips to hold the controls - just the trim should be right - don't accept out of trim). Do not allow the attitude to change when doing it! Get this happening right from commencement of the approach on base, not on late final!
4. Monitor your descent profile visually. You need to develop the ability to pick if you are descending below the threshold or floating past it. That takes practice. Expect it take practice, you are training your eyes. Say to your instructor - I am high, I am low or I am on profile regularly through the approach so they can realise what you are seeing and if necessary give you help judging.
5. If you are not on what you think is profile, adjust your power and attitude appropriately to correct. Always then re trim for fingertip pressure.
6. When applying flap during approach, readjust your attitude and trim again the same way to hold it.
Expect it to take time. One way to pick undershoot/overshoot is to judge if the threshold is appearing to slide upwards or downwards in your field of view. It should remain 'stationary' not sliding up or down in your field of view. Practice judging that, it takes time. Once your eyes can pick it and you can adjust power and attitude to control it you will find it all will click into place.
Like I said - take that FWIW, hope it helps, if not ignore.
Firstly you need to allow the aircraft to become stable before you can make a judgement on what it is doing and before you can make adjustments.
A big bit of that is trimming.
1. Assume you have set descent power, initial flap etc
2. Right from the start, pick a nose attitude. Place the horizon in your windshield where you think should be appropriate for your descent profile to give you the right speed. (Don't worry if it is not 100% right yet - you will get better at judging it with practice). Don't allow it to be just anywhere or approximately where you want - place it there and hold it there.
3. without allowing that attitude to change, trim the elevator so it will maintain it with finger tip pressure on the stick/column (doesn't necessarily mean you will be using fingertips to hold the controls - just the trim should be right - don't accept out of trim). Do not allow the attitude to change when doing it! Get this happening right from commencement of the approach on base, not on late final!
4. Monitor your descent profile visually. You need to develop the ability to pick if you are descending below the threshold or floating past it. That takes practice. Expect it take practice, you are training your eyes. Say to your instructor - I am high, I am low or I am on profile regularly through the approach so they can realise what you are seeing and if necessary give you help judging.
5. If you are not on what you think is profile, adjust your power and attitude appropriately to correct. Always then re trim for fingertip pressure.
6. When applying flap during approach, readjust your attitude and trim again the same way to hold it.
Expect it to take time. One way to pick undershoot/overshoot is to judge if the threshold is appearing to slide upwards or downwards in your field of view. It should remain 'stationary' not sliding up or down in your field of view. Practice judging that, it takes time. Once your eyes can pick it and you can adjust power and attitude to control it you will find it all will click into place.
Like I said - take that FWIW, hope it helps, if not ignore.
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Thank you so much, that helps a lot. Sometimes I don't even think about trimming to help especially with everything going on but I'll definitely do it from now on.
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Yeah I think my instructor might be a problem. One of my friends flew with him recently and said he was terrible but I had no idea since I haven't really flown with anyone else before but I'll ask if I could change.
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What aircraft are you learning in? The reason I ask is that for most aircraft a set of "magic numbers" exist for you to initially hang your hat on. I've totally forgotten the numbers I was taught but it was a combination of altitude, speed, RPM and flap at the end of the downwind leg. Get the numbers right, the aircraft trimmed and Jonkster's stuff will put you right where you want to be.
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