Approach and Landing Accident Data
K Parker (ATSLtd_at_CompuServe.COM)
Mon, 11 May 1998 06:30:17 -0400
Vince;
Your comments to Larry re: flying the 767 during an approach were very
interesting. As an instructor on Airbus 320/340 and formerly on 757/767 I
found that maybe your missing a critical point on flying the non-precision
approach by hand. First let me say that it is a difficult approach to fly
in any aircraft and the automation seems at times to make it even harder.
We must remember however that this type of approach is really a emergency
situation. If you think about it the only reason sane people would fly the
approach without A/P is if it didn't work or for practice. The possiblilty
of all A/P being U/S is pretty slim. The other point is that your
calculation of command and reaction time for inputs to the MCP is valid but
remember nothing is stoping you for correcting your heading and V/S as you
are calling for the change. This will speed up the process and make for a
smaller and smoother correction. If your pilot not flying is on the ball
he already is aware fo the required change and is waiting for your command.
In light of all this don't stop practicing non-precision approaches
manually - you never know!
CHEERS
Kevin