Landing an airplane for the first time is not an easy challenge. It will likely take a few flights before a student pilot really understands and gets the hang of flying the aircraft all the way onto the runway. When done properly, landing an airplane can be one of the most fun and satisfying things in aviation. The best way to prepare fore a safe landing is to be ahead of the airplane by having completed the necessary checklists and SWATA check. Completing these items will help prepare the pilot for what to expect on approach, flair, and rollout.
Another way to prepare for a safe landing is to study the performance characteristics of the airplane (V-speeds, flap affects…etc.). The manufacturer’s POH has all the necessary information for what a pilot should expect from their airplane performance-wise.
Thirdly, it is important to be relaxed! Many pilots are nervous and become tense during this phase of flight. This will lead pilots to overcorrect or not think logically during such an important time during the flight. Remember, your instructor will be guiding you through each step and be on the controls with you, but the goal is for you to land the airplane by yourself, eventually without the instructor even in the airplane.
The safety factors mentioned in the “Normal Takeoff” lesson are just as applicable to landing. Aviate, navigate, and communicate is a helpful tool to help pilots remember the order of importance inside the cockpit. The first is to fly the airplane no matter what. Flying the airplane includes setting the proper power, configuration, and trim for the particular part of the flight. Navigate. Where are we going? I remember being asked this question multiple times during my training. After flying the airplane safely, it is important to know where to go and what to do. In this case, we are setting ourselves up to land on the correct runway, aiming for our briefed aim point. Communicate. just because this is the third item in the list does not mean it isn’t important. Communication and being aware of what’s going on around you is pertinent to safe flying. Towered airports such as KGGG, has a control tower that will be giving landing clearances and pattern instructions. Pilots control the traffic at untowered airports and this is done by making position callouts over the proper frequency. Some pilots do not always make their callouts and scanning outside the cockpit is necessary to avoid collisions.
Here are several important flying terms that will be useful during your landings:
Sideslip - A sideslip is correcting for a crosswind while using both aileron and rudder. Using only the rudder will correct for the wind with a crab, but the airplane should not land crooked. A sideslip is done by accomplishing the following: correct for wind by placing the aileron into the wind, just enough to correct. Use the rudder pedals to keep the nose of the airplane pointed straight down the runway. If you are not sure how to do this, ask your instructor to demonstrate. You will often maintain a side slip all the way until the wheels touch the ground. Letting one wheel touch before the other is perfectly normal in a crosswind.
Forward slip - a forward slip is a way for the pilot to maintain centerline and airspeed, while losing altitude very quickly. This is done by placing the aileron into the wind while simultaneously applying opposite rudder. Do not allow the aircraft’s pitch to move. The airplane will seem like it is dropping out of the sky. pay attention to your airspeed and make sure you are maintaining the desired approach speed, don’t let it get too slow! Remember the goal of a forward slip is to lose altitude only. To come out of a forward slip, slowly reverse the motion. Bring out aileron and rudder, and transition into a side slip.
Go around - If at any point in the approach, landing, flair, touchdown, or rollout, something unexpected is encountered or an unsafe condition is confronted. GO AROUND! Add full power and start to climb at 85 mph. It is always okay to go around and encouraged when not everything goes to plan.
How can I tell if I am high or low on approach to landing? This is a very simple action that the pilot will constantly be doing on the approach. look out of the cockpit windshield at your aim point on the runway. Now reference that point to where it is sitting in your view. That point must be constantly monitored and if that point moves up in our view, you are high or moving above your desired glide path. If that point moves down in your view, you are low or moving below your desired glide path.
-Failure to adequately compensate for flap extension.
-Not maintaining the proper airspeed (getting fast or slow)
-Flairing too quickly, resulting in ballooning back into the air
Configuration Power……………….~1700 RPM Pitch…………………As needed to maintain airspeed Airspeed………….85 MPH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzpDSntjK4U&ab_channel=FlightInsight
*Take note that the performance numbers in this video are for the Cessna 172 and should not be applied to the Cherokee.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osQDlsaBOMY&t=212s&ab_channel=FlightInsight
Read the section titled “Normal Approach and Landing” and “Common Errors” in the Airplane Flying Handbook
Configuration Power………………. Pitch………………… Airspeed………….