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Landing Technique ASEL – Both Hands on the Yoke – OK or Not OK

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Flight Instructor, General Aviation, Student Pilot

 

Basically, the question is whether two hands on the yoke ( after having made the runway ) is an acceptable technique under dry daytime VFR conditions on paved 4000 foot plus runways for a single engine non-complex fixed pitch aircraft such as an Archer or C-172.

I recently saw a video with four experienced CFIs, three of them DPEs, discussing landing techniques. Several admitted at times using both hands on the yoke to improve the quality of their landing.  As I recall,  their discussion included Mooney ASEL aircraft.

I fly with a very experienced former FAA check pilot, and he thought it was not too swift an idea, and better to keep one hand on the throttle.  I did four landings today, all fairly non traumatic, but I must admit that the one I tried with both hands on the yoke was buttery smooth.

I can see two points of view here, and for now will continue to land with one hand on the throttle. Nevertheless, I find  the idea of a two hands on the yoke technique somewhat intriguing.

This site is blessed with many experienced CFIs.  Under what circumstances and with what aircraft, if any,  would you find such a two handed technique acceptable ?

 

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1 Answers



  1. Bryan on Nov 04, 2023

    Just because something is easier to get exactly right with two hands doesn’t mean it isn’t worth learning to do with one hand. I never let my students remove a hand from the throttle less than 400′ AGL for takeoff or landing unless they’re manipulating the flaps (or turning off carb heat for a go-around). An emergency go-around is exactly that–an emergency. If you have to do it, every second counts. Being prepared for an emergency is always more important than buttering the runway.

    My two cents.

    +3 Votes Thumb up 3 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


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