How Low to Spin??

Andy Blackburn wrote:

I have often used somewhat higher speeds on approach
as well. The logic is simple: trade a little altitude
for airspeed and you will get a better perspective
on field slope, power lines and other features that
my not be visible at higher view angles.

I might not be visulizing this right: as you go down final approach, you
reduce the spoilers and speed up, so you end up on a lower glide path
but with an a more shallow approach?

At what altitude do you begin this speed/altitude trade?

There is practically nothing worse than having those
hidden power lines pop up above the horizon when you
are at 30' and 50 kts on final (this is the voice of
experience from the person who had to pick up the wreck).

So, the lines are hidden in the ground clutter, but by coming in at a
more shallow angle, you can see them above the horizon sooner (i.e.,
from farther away than with steeper approach)?



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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA

Eric Greenwell wrote:
Andy Blackburn wrote:

I have often used somewhat higher speeds on approach
as well. The logic is simple: trade a little altitude
for airspeed and you will get a better perspective
on field slope, power lines and other features that
my not be visible at higher view angles.

I might not be visulizing this right: as you go down final approach, you
reduce the spoilers and speed up, so you end up on a lower glide path
but with an a more shallow approach?

At what altitude do you begin this speed/altitude trade?

There is practically nothing worse than having those
hidden power lines pop up above the horizon when you
are at 30' and 50 kts on final (this is the voice of
experience from the person who had to pick up the wreck).

So, the lines are hidden in the ground clutter, but by coming in at a
more shallow angle, you can see them above the horizon sooner (i.e.,
from farther away than with steeper approach)?

I think he's saying to use a flatter, faster glide slope on
far out final, until 50-100 ft AGL, and then use a steeper glide slope.
Remember he mentioned it wasn't a stabilized approach.
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Mark Boyd
Avenal, California, USA