Precautionary Landing

Exercise 17
Introduction

 DEFINITION:
 A precautionary landing is one not contemplated before the flight
commenced, but where engine power may be available thus providing the
pilot with the opportunity of selecting and inspecting a suitable landing
area before executing a landing.

 WHY IT IS BEING TAUGHT:

 To enable the student to safely land the aircraft on possible unprepared
surfaces and to achieve this goal he will have to gain a complete
understanding of the theory determining:
 The aircraft configuration for the precautionary landing.
 The principles involved during low flying.
 The circuit pattern used for a precautionary landing.
 The effect of wind.
 Selection and inspection of landing area.
 Principles relating to a short landing.
Why we do precautionary landings:

Bad weather

Running out of day light

Why we do precautionary landings


Bad fuel management


Medical Emergency


Lost


Engine problems
Suitable landing areas:
 Ideally an aerodrome:
 Unmanned aerodromes
 Unregistered
 Abandoned airfields
Suitable landing areas:

 Look for a large light colored fields:

 Yellow = Usually hard
 Light green = Hard but might have soft patches
 Dark green = Soft ground due to moisture in the ground
 Brown/dark brown = Very soft, not ideal
 Dirt road, avoid tar roads because of traffic and power lines
 Beach
Selecting a field:
 Wind:
 Smoke, dust and water will give you the wind direction. We want
to land into the wind. As a last resort we use our last know wind
direction.

 Obstacles:
 Undershoot of landing area: Trees, wires, radio masts.
 Overshoot of landing area: Trees, water, fences.
 Surface of landing area: Pot holes, soft sand patches, water.
Selecting a field:

Gradient:

It can be difficult to see the slope of the land from above –
water and rivers can give you an indication. Its better to land
up slope if you have a choice.

Length and width:

The longer and wider the field the better.

Sun:

Don't land with the sun in your eyes – especially in the
morning or evening.

Habitation:

Try to land relatively close to a populated area so it is easier to
receiving help.
Field
Slow flight and low level flying

 During low operations a slower cruise should be flown, fly at a speed that
allows good forward visibility.
 If very slow high power flight is required, ensure that adequate engine cooling
is performed.
 Optimum speeds:
 The best L/D ratio speed is the most efficient speed to fly at.
 Minimum altitudes:
 No aircraft, unless for landing and take off, shall be flown at a lower altitude
than 500ft.
 Not lower than 1 500 ft over built up areas.
 Ensure that the altimeter subscale is set to local QNH, if the local QNH is
not available set the altimeter subscale to 1013 Hpa.
 Obstacles:
 Power cables are very difficult to see, don’t look for them look for pylons
and fly over the pylons not between them.
Principles applicable to the short field landing

The short field landing:

Land into a headwind.
If possible, take full flap.
Fly the approach as slow as possible.
Round out a little lower and touch down with all three
wheels at the same time.
Retract flaps and apply brakes.
High level inspection

High level inspection is for a general assessment.

Flown at a height of 500ft AGL

The following things should be checked:

Presence of obstacles in the landing and go around areas e.g.
power lines, rocks, rivers, etc.

Obtain the surface wind direction

Note landmarks and civilization presence.
Low level inspection:

Low level inspection for detailed assessment.

Flown at a height of 300 ft AGL.

The following should be checked:

Obstructions such as ditches, small dry river beds, animals,
wires, fences

Confirm wind direction

Length of field (60kts = 100 ft/s – normally time for 10 sec)

After inspection, climb back to high level inspection height
and fly a circuit at 500ft AGL to perform a short field landing.
Circuit Procedures

Field in sight – field approach checked; plan circuit

pattern; timing in circuit.
Joining circuit – downwind checks; radio call (pan-pan
pan if applicable); brief passengers.
Approach and landing – plan approach for short
landing; emergency; landing briefing.
Radio Calls

 Make a PAN call on the frequency you are on and if

you get no response then on 121.5 Mhz.
 Contact tower when in controlled airspace.
 Eg: Pan, Pan, Pan, George Tower, JLD C172, passenger
had a heart attack, requesting you joining and
landing and medical assistance for passenger.
 Squawk 770o (only when it is an emergency)
Precautionary Landing
FREDA
Circuit – 500ft AGL
W
O
S
S
S
S Low Level – 200ft AGL

S
High Level – 500ft AGL
After Landing

Inspection of taxiing path

Shut down procedures:
Normal shutdown procedures apply, depending on the
situation.
Securing of aircraft:
Secure aircraft and wait for the Police to arrive.
Report landing to nearest ATC/Police Station
Go Around – Simulated Approach

Level off above the field and maintain altitude until

half way down the field and then begin go around.
Continue on heading while climbing
Retract flaps in stages.
Airmanship & Common Errors

Airmanship:
Lookout – built up areas, hills, etc.
Do not fly low over farms with animals

Common Errors:
“Not flying the airplane”
Turning too steep during inspections