Aviation Rules of Thumb
By Patch • Category: General Aviation
Flight schools are focused on teaching what you need to know to pass your check ride. Once you cross that hurdle, the real learning begins. As you begin to fly in a real world environment at airports you’ve never flown into, you’ll realize you have so much to still learn.
Checklists are vital during all stages of your flight and shouldn’t be overlooked simply because you already memorized what you do on the climb out or prior to entering the pattern. It’s good to memorize, but don’t RELY on your memory when you’re in the air (or on the ground). Let your memory act as a backup to the checklist.
There are a few very simple rules you can memorize that could help eliminate cockpit clutter and reduce the number of times you need to reference other documents. I’ve run across a few that may help your during your decent and landing.
Please remember, these are “rules of thumb” and aren’t meant to replace your POH or other official documents.
What rate of decent will equal a 3 degree glide slope?
Airspeed divided by 2 and then add a “0″.
For example, if you’re airspeed is 80 kts, you would divide that by 2 and add a zero (ie. 80/2 = 40 and add the zero, 400 fps decent).
Another option would be to take your airspeed and multiply it times 5. Using the same numbers as above, 80 x 5 = 400 fps decent.
How far out should you start your decent to the field?
Multiply your altitude (divided by 1000) times 3 and add 10.
For example, if you’re flying at 7000 agl, you would multiply 7 x 3 = 21 + 10 = 31 nm out.
Visual guides on your final approach to landing
As you turn to final or on a straight in approach, keep the numbers of the runway approximately 2 inches above the cowling of the aircraft. Adjust your throttle settings (watching your airspeed) to keep yourself at this rate of decent.
Patch is the owner of this site. I originally took my flight instruction with Spokane Airways located at Spokane International Airport (GEG). I passed my checkride in August of 2007. I now live in Florida and fly out of Lantana (KLNA) or North County Airport (F45).
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Great post. I like simple rules, and simple addition to check-lists, like the good old “red-blue-green” on short final.