Question:
“Is there a magic bullet for making good landings more consistently?”

Answer:
The magic bullet for good landings, I wish I had one.

A few things I do know about good and bad landings is that the approach is the first part that must be right. So if your approach is not on speed and stable, save that bad landing by going around and setting it up again.

“On speed” means having the correct speed for the conditions and stabilized at that speed. A common mistake I often see is not getting the elevator trimmed for the desired speed. If you do this then the control pressures are the same for every landing. If you don’t, then every landing is different.

Another mistake I see is that the pilot gets fixated on the aim point. Remember the purpose of the aim point is just to get you to the runway at a safe height. Once you have accomplished that, the aim point is no longer useful.

On final, you should frequently move your focal reference point from the aiming point to a ways down the runway, then to objects on the airport adjacent to the runway. As you approach the aim point, you need to focus your vision farther down the runway. The distance should be proportional to the speed of the
aircraft. If you focus too close, things will be blurred and the reaction can be too abrupt or too late resulting in over control or drop in landings. If you focus too far away, the result can be a nose first landing.

Since the visual point is dependent upon speed, you will need to move your visual focus point closer to the airplane as you slow down in the flare. Another problem can be trying to look over the nose. As the cowling starts to block our vision over the nose, we have to move our view over to the 10:30 or 11:00 position.

So make sure you have a stabilized approach, are in trim on final and try looking a little further down the runway after you cross the threshold, but then after you have started the flare bring it back a little closer to you. Maybe that will help you get those greasers we all want.

TipoftheWeek Courtesy PilotWorkshops

Brian’s Last Word

As I reach the centre of the runway on downwind I have already reduced power and am trimming the aircraft for my proper approach speed which is 70 mph with no wind or 80 mph with wind. Remember you trim for a certain airspeed and control rate of descent with throttle. By the time I turn to the base leg I’m at my desired airspeed and all I have to worry about is throttle to control my rate of descent.

I pick my desired aiming point upon turning final and with throttle maintain that spot in a fixed position in the windscreen. If it starts to go higher on the windscreen that means I am sinking below the desired approach path and need to add power. Obviously if its moving lower then power needs to be reduced slightly. Power changes typically do not have to be very large but should be smooth. Smooth but timely is the key. Radial engines like that! When landing on Runway 16 at Carstairs-Bishell with a south-east wind there can be some good sink on short final and you must be ready with the throttle. Once I’m over the threshold I reduce power smoothly and focus on a smooth flair and greasing it on!

Fortunately, while the greasers don’t always happen, I’m always able to fly the airplane after!

Brian