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.
The result was either an overshoot as the pilot attempted to make a large correction or an undershoot due to the slow acceleration of early jet engines. Several of these unstabilized approaches resulted in major aircraft damage or worse. Flash-forward 60 years to today, and the airline landing incident or accident is as rare as the proverbial hen’s teeth.
Well, for sure the training of pilots in swept-wing jets has improved dramatically, and the aircraft, runway environment, and approach aids have all made significant leaps forward. However, the capstone of all these efforts was the adoption of stabilized approach criteria and procedures on every approach and landing. Hmm, that is well and good for the jet jockeys, but how does that apply to me in my little 180 hp, four-seat, piston-powered dream machine?
The current record of safe landings is strong in the airlines, but the same can’t be said for us down here in general aviation land. The No. 1 cause of GA accidents and incidents remains loss of control (LOC), most often on landing. GA pilots find time-tested and more creative ways to skitter off the side of the runway, land short of the threshold,…
Source www.planeandpilotmag.com
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