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6. TP 13723 - Flight Test Guide - Private Pilot Licence - Aeroplane
7. Flight Test Exercises - Ex. 18 - Approach and Landing

Flight Test Exercises - Ex. 18 - Approach and Landing

The candidate will demonstrate:

1. a normal landing; and
2. a short-field landing over an obstacle or a soft-field landing; and
3. an overshoot.

Assessment of approaches and landings will be based on the candidate’s ability to select the proper approach profile for the actual or simulated conditions.  Where practicable, one of the landings should be based on the previously calculated performance.  If conditions and traffic permit, at least one of the landings should be completed under crosswind conditions.  “Touch and Go” landings are not permitted for the evaluation of landings.

The candidate will be expected to use the correct procedure and technique for the actual wind conditions, landing surface and length or those specified by the examiner, to assess the possibility of further conditions such as wind shear and wake turbulence, and to execute overshoot procedures.

Note: The candidate must be able to explain the necessity for any variation from recommended speeds, e.g. gusty or crosswind conditions.

A.  Normal Approach and Landing

Aim

To determine the candidate’s ability to execute a normal approach and landing as recommended by the POH/AFM or published best practices.

Description

The candidate is expected to conduct a normal approach and landing using the correct recommended procedure and technique for the actual wind conditions, landing surface and length or those specified by the examiner, to assess the possibility of further conditions such as wind shear and wake turbulence.

Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate’s ability to:

1. perform an effective passenger safety review;
2. consider the wind conditions, landing surface and obstructions;
3. select a specific touchdown point;
4. establish the recommended approach and landing configuration;
5. maintain a stabilized approach at the recommended airspeed, or in its absence, 1.3 VSO, (+10/–5 knots);
6. maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing;
7. make smooth, timely and correct control applications during the approach and landing;
8. touch down smoothly at a minimum speed for existing conditions, at the specified touch-down point (+400/–100 feet);
9. touch down with no drift and with the aeroplane's longitudinal axis aligned with and within 15 feet of the centre of the landing surface;
10. touch down in accordance with the POH/AFM or best accepted practice for the aeroplane type;
11. apply brakes, as necessary, without excessive lockup or skidding;
12. complete appropriate checks.

B.  Short-Field and Soft-Field Landings

Aim

To determine the candidate’s ability to safely execute a short-field approach and landing over an actual or simulated obstacle as recommended by the POH/AFM or to execute a soft-field landing using recognized best practices

Description

For the short or soft-field approach and landing, the examiner will clearly specify the simulated surface conditions, obstacles on approach, landing threshold and length of surface available to the candidate.  Should the candidate realize, prior to the landing flare, that a short-field landing could not be achieved in the intended touchdown zone, an overshoot for a second attempt is acceptable.

B.1  Short-Field Approach and Landing

Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate’s ability to:

1. perform an effective passenger safety review;
2. consider the wind conditions and actual or simulated landing surface and obstacles;
3. select the most suitable touchdown zone and specify a touchdown point;
4. execute the initial approach using recommended airspeeds and configurations;
5. fly a final approach profile that clears any actual or simulated obstacle, and results in the appropriate configuration and one of the following speeds (VREF) at a height of 50 feet:
   1. the recommended final approach speed (+10/–5 knots); or
   2. 1.3 V_SO (+10/–5 knots); or
   3. the minimum safe speed for existing conditions e.g. gusty or crosswind conditions.
6. maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing;
7. make smooth, timely and correct control applications during the landing flare and touchdown;
8. touch down at the specified touchdown point (+200/–50 feet) in accordance with the POH/AFM or best accepted practice for the aeroplane type;
9. touch down with no side drift, and with the longitudinal axis aligned with and within 15 feet of the centre of the landing surface;
10. apply brakes, without excessive lockup or skidding and stop safely in the shortest distance;
11. complete appropriate checks

B.2  Soft-Field Approach and Landing

Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate’s ability to:

1. perform an effective passenger safety review;
2. consider the wind conditions, obstructions and actual or simulated landing surface;
3. select the most suitable touchdown zone;
4. execute the initial approach using recommended airspeeds and configurations;
5. fly a final approach profile that clears any actual or simulated obstacle, and results in the appropriate configuration and one of the following speeds (V_REF) at a height of 50 feet:
   1. the recommended final approach speed (+10/–5 knots); or
   2. 1.3 V_SO (+10/–5 knots); or
   3. the minimum safe speed for existing conditions (E.g. gusty or crosswind conditions).
6. maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing;
7. touch down in the first one third (1/3) of the runway/landing surface;
8. touch down using power as necessary to achieve and maintain the landing attitude for the slowest possible touch down on the main wheels;
9. keep the nose wheel off the ground as long as possible with appropriate use of power and elevator control, while decelerating in consideration of the remaining length of available runway;
10. complete appropriate checks.

C.  Overshoot

Aim

To determine the candidate’s ability to execute an overshoot as recommended by the POH/AFM or published best practices.

Description

The overshoot may be called for by the examiner and assessed from any of the landing approaches, the forced landing or precautionary landing.

Performance Criteria

Assessment will be based on the candidate’s ability to:

1. respond upon command to overshoot or make a timely decision to discontinue the approach to landing;
2. promptly and smoothly apply maximum allowable power and establish the pitch attitude that will stop the descent;
3. retract flaps in stages or as recommended by the manufacturer;
4. retract the landing gear (where applicable) after a positive rate of climb is established, or as recommended by the manufacturer;
5. accelerate to and maintain the recommended climb speed (+10/–5 knots);
6. maintain maximum allowable power to a safe manoeuvring altitude then, where applicable, set climb power;
7. complete the appropriate checks.

Date modified:

2010-05-20

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