Plane and Pilot

AUGUST 27, 2024

Back in the early days of jet airliners, pilots long experienced in more forgiving two- and four-engine, piston-powered prop planes found themselves running out of airspeed, altitude, and ideas on the final approach to landing. Several of these unstabilized approaches resulted in major aircraft damage or worse.

Stability 87

Stability Approach Runway Pilot 87

Pilot Institute

NOVEMBER 2, 2024

When the aircraft is in a high-drag configuration, a stall at a low altitude can be quite dangerous. On final approach, it can be the difference between recovering and crashing. The final notch of flaps should be removed immediately upon arresting the descent and getting the aircraft to a level pitch attitude.

Descent 52

Descent Approach AGL Lift 52

Flying Magazine

APRIL 26, 2024

For the final approach, I calculated V REF of about 128 was fought with much shear, with airspeed variances of up to 20 to 30 knots, providing a wild ride. As is often the case with swept-wing jets, sometimes extra drag is required beyond gear and flaps. There was no inherent stability.

Crosswind 105

Crosswind Weather Knot Aileron 105

Pilot Institute

JULY 12, 2024

The easiest way to achieve this is by flying a stabilized approach. So, what is a stabilized approach? A stabilized approach requires the pilot to establish and maintain a constant angle glidepath towards an aiming point. Most approaches use a 3:1 glidepath. Use the PAPIs if they’re available.

Descent 52

Descent Weight-Shift-Control Crosswind Runway 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

Pilot Institute

FEBRUARY 15, 2025

Detecting them is difficult, which makes final approach and landing especially dangerous. At first, you might experience a strong headwind, which briefly increases your airspeed and gives you a false sense of stability. This can fool anyone easily, and could lead to disaster during approach. Dont lower the nose!

Wind Shear 66

Wind Shear Weather Descent Approach 66

AV Web

DECEMBER 11, 2024

Once youve got the airplane stabilized but are unable to resolve the partial power loss, its time to start getting this thing on the ground. But if you have enough altitude, you have the energy and flexibility to plan and execute a traffic pattern that puts you on final approach in a position from which to land.

Runway 52

Runway Airplanes Approach Drag 52