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Airspeed on approach

Asked by: 1829 views , ,
Flight Instructor, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Hey guys! Please forgive me in advance for asking what will seem like such a stupid question...

 

I'm having a hard time grasping airspeed on approach to landing. I'm flying a piper archer, and the recommended approach speed says 75 kts with a short final speed of 66kts...

 

When I'm abeam the numbers downwind I decrease my RPM to 1700 rpm and trim to 85kts....then turn base and maintain 80kts. Then I turn final and get the airplane stabilized for 75kts. Something feels incorrect here... if the checklist is telling me short final should be at 66kts.....shouldn't I START my approach at 75 when abeam the numbers, THEN on base maintain 70, then on final be at 66?? Any imput would be greatly appreciated, I'll obviously ask my instructor this as well, but I also want to hear from you guys as well! Btw reason why I'm asking is cause I'm struggling to land and it just feels as if I'm too fast. I'm almost at 20hrs pre solo student. 

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2 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Jun 02, 2019

    It’s not a stupid question at all. And I see that what you are talking about is actually in the POH, which really has the potential to make it confusing. Here’s what it says (leaving out the MPH numbers for clarity)

    “Trim to 75 KTS lAS
    “Final approach speed (flaps 40°) ………. 66 KTS lAS”

    They are not really recommending a final approach speed of 75 KIAS. The expanded information later in the Normal Operations section explains a bit further:

    When on final approach, the airplane should be trimmed to an approach speed of about 66 KTS lAS with flaps extended.

    IOW, what they are telling you is that your stabilized (to use the current FAA parlance) final approach speed and configuration should be 66 KIAS with full flaps.

    How you get there is a matter of technique but Piper is in essence recommending exactly what you think should be done – an initial approach target of 75, stepped down to 66 as you continue the approach. My technique for that model reflects that – abeam the numbers, target 75 with 10° flaps, down to 70 on base with 25° flaps, and stabilized on final at 66 with full (40°) flaps.

    (and to others, yes, I am discounting the fact that those speeds are based on max gross and the 66 could be slower)

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  2. Gary S. on Jun 02, 2019

    xboss1738, I don’t know why no one has given their opinion on your question until now. Especially with 50 views already.
    Anyway……..my short answer is to ask your cfi, which you’ve probably already done by now.

    This is a very basic question, which is fine as a student and this IS a learning website. My attention was snagged when you said “it just feels as if I’m too fast.” You should learn to trust your instruments, but what does your cfi say?

    P.S. – if your cfi hasn’t taught you to land after 20 hours, consider changing over to someone else. Some cfi’s shouldn’t be teachers.

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