3 degrees?

[cherokeeflyboy]

The glide slope is typically around 3 degrees. What is this 3 degrees relative to? is this like a 3 degree grade? when flying, the approach seems ALOT
steeper than 3 degrees relative to the surface. Just knowing that it is 3 degrees is not enough info for me.

KD

 

[spiderweb]

The glide slope is typically around 3 degrees. What is this 3 degrees relative to? is this like a 3 degree grade? when flying, the approach seems ALOT
steeper than 3 degrees relative to the surface. Just knowing that it is 3 degrees is not enough info for me.

KD

It really is a three degree slope, when so noted.

 

[Dave Krall CFII]

Don't forget the aircraft is moving forward fairly fast relative to descent. I think it is as little as 1/2 degree high or low will give you a change in the VASI lights.

The glide slope is typically around 3 degrees. What is this 3 degrees relative to? is this like a 3 degree grade? when flying, the approach seems ALOT
steeper than 3 degrees relative to the surface. Just knowing that it is 3 degrees is not enough info for me.

KD

 

[Ed Guthrie]

The glide slope is typically around 3 degrees. What is this 3 degrees relative to? is this like a 3 degree grade? when flying, the approach seems ALOT
steeper than 3 degrees relative to the surface. Just knowing that it is 3 degrees is not enough info for me.

KD

The angle between the intersection of the glide path and the "flat" earth is 3 degrees.

 

[Ken Ibold]

when flying, the approach seems ALOT
steeper than 3 degrees relative to the surface.

Interesting comment, because a visual approach is typically steeper than 3 degrees.

 

[Areeda]

Interesting comment, because a visual approach is typically steeper than 3 degrees.

If you fly the ILS glide slope the PAPI or VASI will agree with Glide Slope Indicator.

I have seen ILS's with as high as 3.9 degree slope.

Joe

 

[gismo]

If you fly the ILS glide slope the PAPI or VASI will agree with Glide Slope Indicator.

Generally true but there are exceptions, IIRC. IOW don't count on it.

 

[gismo]

The glide slope is typically around 3 degrees. What is this 3 degrees relative to? is this like a 3 degree grade? when flying, the approach seems ALOT
steeper than 3 degrees relative to the surface. Just knowing that it is 3 degrees is not enough info for me.

KD

I don't know why it seems steeper than 3 degrees, perhaps you're confusing the airplane's pitch attitude with the approach angle (with flaps the pitch angle can be steeper). A 3 degree GS (or VASI etc) means the angle between the glidepath and "level" (what a bubble level would show) is three degrees. That's pretty close to 300 ft (318 is almost exact) of vertical for each 1nm across the ground.

 

[cherokeeflyboy]

Thanks all. Lance your explanation put it into perspective for me I appreciate it