Professional Pilot

AUGUST 8, 2024

Challenger 604, G-IV Contributing Writer Pilatus PC-12 on approach at ORL. Air traffic control instructions often lead to unstable approaches. The request to make a short approach or maintain a higher-than-normal speed to the final approach fix is the most common reason pilots don’t meet stable approach criteria.

Approach 105

Approach Descent Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) Runway 105

Air Facts

MAY 10, 2024

What speed on final approach? At what AGL altitude will the aircraft be in a stable/configured condition? At what AGL altitude will the aircraft be in a stable/configured condition? (No FAA parameters are no lower than 500’ AGL for stabilized criteria What specific runway lighting do we expect to see?

Approach 97

Approach AGL Descent Runway 97

Ask Captain Lim

FEBRUARY 19, 2025

The crew was not obligated to accept this runway and could have requested an alternative or allowed more time for a stabilized approach. However, during final approach, we were instructed to switch to Runway 22L, a shorter runway typically used for departures.

Pilot 59

Pilot Runway Air Traffic Control AGL 59

Flight Training Central

DECEMBER 4, 2023

The final approach speed for a soft field approach and landing should be the same as is used for a short field technique to minimuze float once you enter ground effect. If gusty conditions are present, increase final approach airspeed by one half the gust factor.

Approach 52

Approach Ground Effect Final Approach Airplanes 52

Fear of Landing

APRIL 19, 2024

At approximately 30-40 feet agl, the spinning stopped and the helicopter appeared to stabilize for a brief moment before continuing a nose-low, forward descent into the grass north of Runway 28. When it stopped climbing, the helicopter maneuvered erratically drifting towards the north and descending.

Torque 87

Torque Indicated Airspeed Tail Knot 87

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

On final approach, it can be the difference between recovering and crashing. The ACS states that recovery should be completed no lower than 1,500 ft AGL for single-engine aircraft and 3,000 ft AGL for multi-engine aircraft. If the aircraft stalls and you are surprised, you might not be able to recover in time.

Descent 52

Descent Approach AGL Lift 52

Pilot Institute

JUNE 26, 2024

A go-around is a maneuver performed to abort or reject a landing on the final approach or once the aircraft has already touched down. Top Reasons for Go-Arounds Unstabilized Approach An aircraft must have a stabilized approach before landing. In other words, it is an unstabilized approach.

Wind Shear 52

Wind Shear Runway Approach Aeronautical Decision-Making 52