[Pilots] New Approach criteria

[Greg Bestul]

Hello MN Wing Pilots,

Unfortunately we have experienced a tail strike incident in Minnesota this
spring. This type of incident is becoming too common, up to number two
behind flat spotted tires. We have looked at several possible solutions to
help avoid these type incidents in the future. One option would be to
install skid plates on the tails of the airplanes as some flight schools
have done. This option has been removed since NHQ, the owner of the
airplanes, must approve ANY modification to the planes . At the present
time they have not approved this type of modification.
So we will have to be more diligent and proficient at our flight skills to
prevent tail strikes in the future.
To be more proactive and have some better guidance on helping to
alleviate this problem I have come up with the "new approach criteria" that
should be followed to help in remedying this problem.
This guidance has previously been sent out to all of the wing instructors,
so they have had time to review it and be ready to implement this new
guidance.
Please review the following new guidance, and as we enter the busy summer
flying season, be aware that instructors should be more proactive to help
avoid tail strikes, practice good stabilized approach standards, and work
on gaining more flight proficient (especially in short and soft field
takeoffs and landings as well as go arounds)
I thank you for your attention to this safety related issue and your help
in preventing future incidents.

[image: image.png]

*Capt. Greg Bestul, CAP*

DOV, MN Wing

612.251.4786

gbestul at gmail.com

U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

GoCivilAirPatrol.com <http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/>


New Approach Criteria



1.     “55 stay alive” – any approach in either C172 or C182 where the
airspeed falls below 55 knots, before flare, becomes criteria for a
mandatory go-around.  Slow speed approaches are one of the leading causes
of bad landings

2.      Unstable approaches should result in a go around (on final with an
improper speed, glide path, bank angle, or  power setting)



3.     If the pitch attitude in the flare becomes excessive a go around
should be executed.



4.     Instructors *will* have their hands on the yoke following through
with the students on ALL takeoffs and landings. This will enable quick
reaction by the instructor to take off’s or landings that are moving into
an undesired state.



5.     Instructors will brief all students on control of the airplane. This
should include the statement that if the instructor senses that the
aircraft is moving to an undesired state, they will state “I have the
flight controls” at which time the instructor will fly the aircraft and
the student should relinquish control of the aircraft and state “you have
the flight controls”


6.     Instructors must be decisive on intervention, not letting the
aircraft get so far into an undesired state that an unsatisfactory outcome
arises (i.e. damage to the airplane)



7.     Go arounds should be practiced on a regular basis. They should also
be practiced from different points in the landing pattern, from base turn
thru flare. Students should be comfortable with executing a go around from
any point in the flight.

The key to good landings is a stabilized approach!
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