Precautionary Landing

 Precautionary Landing

• Normal circuit with the addition of inspection passes
• Slow cruise (65/60 KIAS) with 20° flaps
• High Pass
• Circuit altitude (or 1500 if overflying aerodrome for field inspection) 
• Primary objective is determining whether it’s safe to approach and fly a low pass
• Look around the field for obstacles or hazards
• Low Pass: 
• As low as is necessary (depends on obstacles, usually 300-500 feet)
• Primary objective is determining if the surface itself is suitable
• Look at the field for surface condition
• If landing off airport, prepare aircraft for off-airport landing

A Precautionary Landing is a Circuit with Extra Steps

How to get distance from?

Precautionary on a field

• Civilization, are there people around to assist us after landing?
• Wind, identify direction which will identify landing location
• High Pass, fly along landing area (downwind or upwind side)
• Look for Objects
• Fly toward upwind leg, on base leg descend to 100 - 500 AGL
• On Upwind set 60 kts, 100-500 AGL, 10-20 flaps (1/2 gust factor?) and time field length, fly to right of field.
• Inspect for Objects / Surface on the low pass
• Finish timing, length is 100ft * duration of upwind leg.
• Ascend back to Circuit height (1000 agl)
• Do Cross and Base legs, during them:
• Pan Pan call
• Prelanding checks
• Passenger briefing
• Cessna 152 - Precautionary landing with engine power

Precautionary on a runway

• Civilization, are there people around to assist us after landing?
• Wind, identify direction which will identify landing location
• High Pass, Cross the field @ 500+ Circuit height
• Look for Objects
• Lower to Circuit Height, 
• Fly toward upwind leg, on base leg descend to 100 - 500 AGL
• On Upwind set 60 kts, 100-500 AGL, 10-20 flaps (1/2 gust factor?) and time field length, fly to right of field.
• Inspect for Objects / Surface on the low pass
• Finish timing, length is 100ft * duration of upwind leg.
• Ascend back to Circuit height (1000 agl)
• Do Cross and Base legs, during them:
• Pan Pan call  We're on a runway so no pan pan
• Contact FSS – file arrival report
• Prelanding checks
• Passenger briefing
• When abeam the runway 10º Flaps
• On Base 20º Flaps
• On Final 30º Flaps
• Short Field / Soft field landing if necessary.

Passenger Briefing

• Seatbelts & shoulder harnesses fastened, seats in upright position
• Loose objects secured
• Soft object in front of face (in case aircraft digs in)
• Unlatch door prior to touchdown
• Remind them of first aid and fire extinguisher locations
• Evacuation instructions – meet at back of aircraft
• Give reassurance!

PAN PAN Call

• Select appropriate frequency – VNC or CFS
• PAN PAN x 3
• Who you are calling x 3 (London Radio)
• Aircraft type & callsign
• Situation & intentions
• Position, altitude & heading
• Number of people on board
• Type & callsign

Cessna 152 - Precautionary landing with engine power

• 60 KTS / Flaps 20º
• Electrics off (inc radios)
• Flaps 30° on short final
• 55 KIAS
• Master off
• Unlatch doors
• Touchdown tail low
• Ignition switch off (at touchdown)
• Heavy braking (if required)

FSS Arival report:

• London Radio (FSS) – 123.55 
• Who you are (callsign)
• Where you are
• Where you’re going
• When you’ll get there
• 'London'

Passenger briefing:

Evaluate suitability using COWLS

• C – Civilization
• O – Obstacles
• W – Wind
• L – Length
• S – Surface

Wingham Scenario – Aerodrome

• Need to tell someone we’re landing there
• London Radio (FSS) – 123.55 
• Who you are (callsign)
• Where you are
• Where you’re going
• When you’ll get there

Off Aerodrome Considerations

• Need a very good reason!
• Evaluate suitability using COWLS
• C – Civilization
• O – Obstacles
• W – Wind
• L – Length
• S – Surface

Why would you choose to land somewhere you didn’t plan to?

• Diversion
• Because we feel like it (recreational flight)
• Because we need to (bathroom break)
• Because we really need to
• Mechanical issue
• Weather
• Medical issue
• Fuel shortage
• Time of day
• Lost