Hi folks, just got a question in regards to when the aircraft has not got a HGS.

 

I have difficulty trying to land on the runway tdz without the HGS, so my question, is it ok to use the vsd to guide you down the glide path to the runway ? Does anyone else use this and is it as good as the HGS ?

If I dont use it, I seem to fall short before the start of the runway as I cant judge or have a good aim point when landing.

Heads up, eyes out the window. You need to develop your Mark I eyeball skills.

 

Pick the landing point, of choice. Note where its apparent position is on the windscreen. If its apparent position is moving downwards, you are too high - increase your descent rate, if it is moving upwards you are too low - decrease your descent rate. If it is stable on the windscreen, you are just right. Makes any changes, very slight and slow.

 

After a while of concentrating to do that, it will become automatic.

 

Once you reach the threshold, then eyes 2/3rds of the way down the runway. Slowly pull the throttle to idle, a bit further down, and then nose up just a touch. Land.

 

* Orest

The VSD is not for use in judging landings - it's mostly a terrain and altitude restriction advisory thing.

 

I'd venture to guess that in a lot of cases a real pilot won't even use the HGS if conditions are visual and good. The HGS was actually developed to allow pilots to perform Cat III landings without the use of autoland.