spiderweb
Final Approach
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2005
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Ben
In the FDK area the bases were averaging about 1500 AGL throughout the morning, so I was good for both pattern work and an approach. I hadn't flown the C182 in about three weeks, and I wanted to try something different. I think I have finally found a winning formula for good landings. I'd like your comments: As always, start with a stabilized approach. But with the Skylane, give yourself a slightly longer final than in slower craft.
Absolutely make sure you are trimmed for hands-off flight, and done with config changes right after turning final. The winning combo for me today was 20 degrees and 70 KIAS at probably 400 under max landing weight. I would up that to 75 for full gross.
On short final, gradually remove any remaining power. Transition smoothly and gradually to level flight a few feet above the runway. (I flared too high on the first landing.)
Gently kick out the crab.
Then, use butt sink on a slow count of three. (On the second landing, I felt the sink begin, but I didn't really let her sink at all. The result was that was in the landing attitude about two feet above the ground. I saved it with power, but this is poor energy management.) Let her sink smoothly, and respond with smooth, incremental elevator.
None of thsi is new, of course. The main point for me today was the combo of 20 degrees and 70 KIAS. This worked so well after the second landing, that I did four more. Each of them were at least good, and a couple were outstanding. I felt, however, like I was morally wrong for not using all 30 degrees, but on a long runway I also knew that as long as everything else was handled correctly, I had no worries.
OK, after that, I decided to do an approach. I requested the ILS from Potomac on the GCO. They were very kind to give it to me. The nice thing about this was I got a lot of time in the clouds. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous, as this was really the first time I was getting the wings wet solo (except for .2 in cruise last month), so I --GASP-- used the autopilot in cruise, at first. Well, my excuse to you guys would be that I wanted to make sure I could integrate it into my IMC flying. Anyway, I turned it off before my approach clearance and hand-flew an honest ILS, by myself, in IMC to 700 feet above minmums. The glideslope was right on, and my worst loc deflection was 1.5 dots. Laugh all you want, I felt pretty good.
So there--if I can do it, so can you.
BTW, the Skylane is now officially my mistress. (Luckily my wife likes her, too!)
Absolutely make sure you are trimmed for hands-off flight, and done with config changes right after turning final. The winning combo for me today was 20 degrees and 70 KIAS at probably 400 under max landing weight. I would up that to 75 for full gross.
On short final, gradually remove any remaining power. Transition smoothly and gradually to level flight a few feet above the runway. (I flared too high on the first landing.)
Gently kick out the crab.
Then, use butt sink on a slow count of three. (On the second landing, I felt the sink begin, but I didn't really let her sink at all. The result was that was in the landing attitude about two feet above the ground. I saved it with power, but this is poor energy management.) Let her sink smoothly, and respond with smooth, incremental elevator.
None of thsi is new, of course. The main point for me today was the combo of 20 degrees and 70 KIAS. This worked so well after the second landing, that I did four more. Each of them were at least good, and a couple were outstanding. I felt, however, like I was morally wrong for not using all 30 degrees, but on a long runway I also knew that as long as everything else was handled correctly, I had no worries.
OK, after that, I decided to do an approach. I requested the ILS from Potomac on the GCO. They were very kind to give it to me. The nice thing about this was I got a lot of time in the clouds. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous, as this was really the first time I was getting the wings wet solo (except for .2 in cruise last month), so I --GASP-- used the autopilot in cruise, at first. Well, my excuse to you guys would be that I wanted to make sure I could integrate it into my IMC flying. Anyway, I turned it off before my approach clearance and hand-flew an honest ILS, by myself, in IMC to 700 feet above minmums. The glideslope was right on, and my worst loc deflection was 1.5 dots. Laugh all you want, I felt pretty good.
So there--if I can do it, so can you.
BTW, the Skylane is now officially my mistress. (Luckily my wife likes her, too!)
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