A320 flare technique
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,338
Likes: 1
From: Uh... Where was I?
Chris
Please don't make any experiments based on any of my posts.
What I mean is that when the time to retard comes (acording to my brain calculated and brain-plus-seat-of-the-pants felt) I sometimes do it like in two steps. Sometimes by the time I feel the moment has come, the moment came a second before so I slam the thrust levers to idle. But if I see it coming well in advance, I progresively retard the donuts till slightly above thrust and then at the exact moment I retard the rest. It is not really a two step, it is rather a progressive way of doing it.
The seat of the pants plus brain calculated thing takes practice.
Please don't make any experiments based on any of my posts.
What I mean is that when the time to retard comes (acording to my brain calculated and brain-plus-seat-of-the-pants felt) I sometimes do it like in two steps. Sometimes by the time I feel the moment has come, the moment came a second before so I slam the thrust levers to idle. But if I see it coming well in advance, I progresively retard the donuts till slightly above thrust and then at the exact moment I retard the rest. It is not really a two step, it is rather a progressive way of doing it.
The seat of the pants plus brain calculated thing takes practice.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: VXXX
Not-So-Standard Runways
It also a good idea to get back to basics and learn to flare via visual references, instead of reliance on RAD ALT calls. There is some very good reference material on the following website.
The Jacobson Flare
It basically states that for each aircraft type there is a specific aim point which will have you crossing the threshold at the correct altitude. There is a also a specific cutoff point on the runway which is the cue to commence the flare, this will put you at the correct flare height. For example on the A330 aim point is about 1150 ft from the threshold (end of the 1000 ft markers) and the cutoff point is approximately the end of the 500 ft markers. So you drill your aim point maintaining a 3 deg approach and as the 500ft markers start to slip beneath your view below the combing commence the flare.
The Jacobson Flare
It basically states that for each aircraft type there is a specific aim point which will have you crossing the threshold at the correct altitude. There is a also a specific cutoff point on the runway which is the cue to commence the flare, this will put you at the correct flare height. For example on the A330 aim point is about 1150 ft from the threshold (end of the 1000 ft markers) and the cutoff point is approximately the end of the 500 ft markers. So you drill your aim point maintaining a 3 deg approach and as the 500ft markers start to slip beneath your view below the combing commence the flare.
PS: I do love the Jacobson flare, and use it.
