Page 21 - Volume 18 Number 6

maximum weight) concept of what it means to be “stabilized.” AFH’s Figure 8-9 (not shown) shows how an approach may be flown stabilized to the point where the flare begins. (Okay, the picture is a single-engine piston airplane, but the concept is sound even in a CJ3).
The buzz about stabilized approaches
Why does everyone talk about stabilized approaches? Because, as the saying goes, a good landing starts with a good approach, but a good landing rarely results from a bad approach. The concept of stabilized approaches evolved to meet these goals:
• Predicting aircraft performance by using a consistent technique every time.
• Increasing situational awareness, by allowing the pilot to focus on instrument or outside references, as appropriate to conditions, instead of diverting attention to changing trim, power and configuration settings during final approach.
• More easily detecting and correcting for glidepath deviations.
• Increased ability to establish crosswind corrections.
• Landing in the touchdown zone at the proper speed
to ensure landing performance.
Common accidents where a stabilized approach is
not flown include controlled flight into terrain (CFIT),
landing short, landing long and running off the far end of the runway, and stalling on the approach. Stabilized approaches, especially in heavier, inertia-ridden turbine aircraft, have been proven to save lives. A common theme in the list of goals is avoiding distraction and improper airspeed control—two things a stabilized approach are designed to avoid.
Are we concentrating too much on a buzzword, the
stabilized approach? Or is a stabilized approach—one
that puts the airplane in the slot on short final—a better
way to go? I contend that a stabilized approach allows the
pilot to smoothly and easily get the airplane into the slot
on short final. The conditions of the slot (airspeed, AoA,
attitude, configuration, power, glidepath, aim spot), in
turn, serve as a final quality control check of the pilot’s
landing technique. Is the airplane in the slot? Continue
to flare and land. Is the airplane not completely in the
slot on short final? Power up and go around, before you
pilot, swimming out of your submerged airplane. T&T •
find yourself landing short, landing long or, like the CJ
Thomas P. Turner is an ATP/CFII/MEI, holds a Masters Degree in Aviation Safety, and was the 2010 National FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. Subscribe to Tom’s free FLYING LESSONS Weekly e-newsletter at www.mastery-flight-training.com.
Lazy Susan for
360° Free Rotation.
Completely hands-free from load to unload.
AC TrackTech T2
For larger aircraft up to 21,000 lbs
AC Air Technology 2/3 Vertical
4/C Ad
The World’s Lowest Profile, Remote-Control Aircraft Tug
Order yours now! (855) 884-7222 www.acairtechnology.com
Aircraft Covers, Inc. 2/3 Vertical
4/C Ad
JUNE 2014
TWIN & TURBINE • 19