Chair flying / Normal Approach and Landing
Normal Approach and Landing
Fly a stabilized approach to a normal runway: configure and slow on each pattern leg, hold a stable descent to the numbers, and roll onto the mains in the touchdown zone.
Downwind & Base
- Abeam the numbers: reduce power, flaps 10°, 80 kt“CGUMPS”CGUMPS pre-landing flow: Clearance · Gas (fullest tank, pump ON) · Undercarriage (fixed) · Mixture full rich · Prop forward · Seatbelts and switches.
- Turn base about 45° past the threshold — flaps 25°, 75 kt
Final
- Roll out on final — landing flaps 40°, 66–70 kt“Stable: aligned, on glidepath, on speed”Landing configuration flow: electric fuel pump ON · fuel selector proper tank · mixture full rich · flaps 40.
- Pitch for airspeed, power for glidepath — track the aim point
- Reduce power to idle over the threshold
Flare & Rollout
- Round out and hold the airplane off, touching down on the mains at minimum speed
- Lower the nosewheel gently, maintain centerline, brake as needed
ACS tolerances
- Approach speed 66–70 kt, +10/−5 kt
- Touchdown within the first third / 400 ft of the aim point
- Centerline maintained
Common errors
- Unstabilized approach — chasing speed and glidepath late
- Flaring high or ballooning
- Touching down flat or nosewheel-first