As the computer technology of aircraft navigation systems became more and more sophisticated, aircraft and avionics manufacturers attempt to exploit this computer capability in aircraft operations. One of the most profound capabilities being exploited recently is the aircraft’s capability of navigating vertically on an instrument approach without reference to an external electronic guidance signal such…… Continue Reading →
A surprising number of aircraft accidents have occurred during visual approaches or during the visual segment following an instrument approach. An interesting review initiated by Captain Fred H. LORENZ has been published sometime ago…. Continue Reading →
An excellent document about go-around essentials…… Continue Reading →
The Flight Safety Foundation Approach-and-landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) Task Force found that visual approaches were being conducted in 41 percent of 118 fatal approach-andlanding accidents worldwide in 1980 through 1996… Continue Reading →
Factors that may contribute to approach-and- landing accidents include flight over hilly terrain, reduced visibility, visual illusions, adverse winds, contaminated runways and/or limited approach aids. Flight crews should be aware of the compounding nature of these hazards during approach and landing…. Continue Reading →
Used appropriately, the cost index (CI) feature of the flight management computer (FMC) can help airlines significantly reduce operating costs. However, many operators don’t take full advantage of this powerful tool…. Continue Reading →
Studying the psychology of decision making during unstable approaches and why go-around policies are ineffective…. Continue Reading →
Pilots are often forced to deal with shorter-term restraints that may require them to temporarily abandon their cruise strategy one or more times during a flight…. Continue Reading →
Most air transport pilots lack adequate training in how to perform the most common go-arounds — those with both engines operating in the high-pressure environment of a missed approach, according to a study by the French Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA)…. Continue Reading →
The very respected Flight Safety Foundation has published a list of recommendations about how to combat the psychology of non-compliance with GA policies and procedures… Continue Reading →
Relative-safety factors influence flight crews to perform far fewer missed approaches than predicted by the incidence of unstabilized approaches. The timing of the decision can be critical to the maneuver’s outcome…. Continue Reading →
A lack of go around decision is the leading factor in the majority of approach and landing accidents. One in ten go around reports records a potentially hazardous go-around outcome. This article gives some hints on how to make it more efficient and safer…. Continue Reading →
The Flight Safety Foundation analyzed 16 years of aircraft accident data and found that the most common type of accident is the runway excursion. They noted that the almost complete (97 percent) failure to call go-arounds as a preventive mitigation of the risk of continuing to fly unstable approaches constituted the no. 1 cause of…… Continue Reading →
Landing on Contaminated Runways involves increased levels of risk related to deceleration and directional control. Aircraft Landing Performance data takes account of the deceleration issues in scheduling the Landing Distance Required (LDR), and the Aircraft Limitations specified in the AFM can be expected to impose a reduced maximum crosswind limitation. Operator Procedures may further restrict…… Continue Reading →