Hard Landings

[Mikey]

Hello Everyone,

While I know this may be a relative question, but with regards to FSPassengers, what is considered to be a hard landing? Is the
threshold at 500/min descent rates, 1000/min? Just wondering, as it seems that many of my landings are considered 'hard landings'
and I'm struggling to keep the a/c in the air when I try to lower my descent rate too much.

Thanks,
mikey

[poden]

You don't want to reduce your descent rate until just before touchdown,when you perform the "landing flare". You generally should be descending at
less than 500 ft/min when you touch down (200 or so is much better!).

[kingfosco]

Imagine to land without gears.... IMAGINE!!!

[ivo]

A good way to figure out your approach descent rate is to take your speed and devide it by two. Then add a zero. For example:


Approach Speed: 150 KIAS

150/2=75

Add the zero and your descent rate should be 750 feet per minute. Also, you should expect to cross the runway threshold at 50 feet or so,
and then start reducing the thrust and at about 30 feet start flaring. Its all a matter of what suites you best and what aircraft you're flying. Of
course, a 747 is going to be different to land than a 172. A landing in the 747 at -500 feet won't be so ba(won't be good either) but you'll
live. A landing at -500 feet in a Cessna would hurt

Another thing is that you shouldn't try to hold the plane of the ground. Simply flare to about 4-5 degrees(depends on different planes). Also,
its differet landing big jets versus small jets. For example, when landing a 737 you would flare and get a nice touchdown. In the 747
however, you would sort of fly the plane into the ground. You don't flare as much as in the 737. I'm not saying to fly the airplane without
flaring and land at your approach descent rate, but the technique is let the airplane fly itself into the ground. Another things is not to try to
overflare because then you will float and that eats up a hell of a lot of runway. You might not be able to stop in the remainder of the runway.

I also notice that you say that you have trouble keeping the airplane in the air when you decrease the descent rate. Maybe you are stalling and falling to the ground right before you flare? What is your approach speed and what aircraft are you using? Better approach a little fast than too slow and stall.



Post Edited ( 06-01-06 06:49 )