jetcareers - View Single Post - Why are we taught to land differently 91 vs 121

phoenix 23684 · March 18th, 2008, 16:41

So I was reading one of the responses to another tread about someone looking for help with their landing, why are we taught different techniques when landing a 172 vs an airliner.

Let me clarify, I know most of us have been taught to land a C-172, during our PPL, in such a way as to touch down ideally at the slowest speed or just as the horn comes on. Yet we move into part 121/135 and no longer the case, we just fly the profile and arrest the descent. When's the last time you'd seen a 747 hold it of the ground till the horn

My only theory comes from flying tail wheels; more specifically 3 point landings, where you just hold it of the ground at that attitude until it settles, basically the wings can no longer provide sufficient lift for at that angle and speed. Can this be just a residual of earlier school of thought when tails where the norms?
Yes, I have heard all the theories about why it's important to put it down as slow as possible and understand the dangers of trying to float an airliner, but really you could very well and perhaps easier to put/teach a light GA on the ground the same way we do it with the large ones, specially career students.

Thoughts?

On a side note has anyone flown a light GA after becoming an airline pilot, I have not yet, but I hear the first time it's scary specially on final due to the slower speed.

March 18th, 2008, 16:41	#1
phoenix 23684 Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 152	Why are we taught to land differently 91 vs 121 So I was reading one of the responses to another tread about someone looking for help with their landing, why are we taught different techniques when landing a 172 vs an airliner. Let me clarify, I know most of us have been taught to land a C-172, during our PPL, in such a way as to touch down ideally at the slowest speed or just as the horn comes on. Yet we move into part 121/135 and no longer the case, we just fly the profile and arrest the descent. When's the last time you'd seen a 747 hold it of the ground till the horn My only theory comes from flying tail wheels; more specifically 3 point landings, where you just hold it of the ground at that attitude until it settles, basically the wings can no longer provide sufficient lift for at that angle and speed. Can this be just a residual of earlier school of thought when tails where the norms? Yes, I have heard all the theories about why it's important to put it down as slow as possible and understand the dangers of trying to float an airliner, but really you could very well and perhaps easier to put/teach a light GA on the ground the same way we do it with the large ones, specially career students. Thoughts? On a side note has anyone flown a light GA after becoming an airline pilot, I have not yet, but I hear the first time it's scary specially on final due to the slower speed.