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Scott Krueger AKA Grayhawk Wrote:
If one knows the descent rate associated with one or
two weight configurations and prop settings and one
has an autopilot that has altitude management
capabilities like the Tru-Trak, the descent rate
could be set into the A/P and the other busy work
could be accomplished while the plane descended at
an approximate optimum rate.
The autopilot would help in this situation, but simply
setting the autopilot to best glide would not
necessarily work because that could overshoot the
runway.
The TruTrak Autopilot does have a VNAV mode which will
track the exact required straight-line descent profile
to reach the airport, but an increasing headwind or
decreasing tailwind could cause that type of approach
to land short of the runway.
Perhaps a better solution if there is excess altitude
is to set up for a steeper than usual straight-in
approach with excess drag from gear or flaps,
basically using gear/flaps as a glider pilot would use
spoilers. Then the pilot has options to increase or
decrease the glide path as needed to make it to the
runway.
All of this presumes there is enough altitude to make
it to the runway; if not, then landing into the wind
in a field or road is the better option.
Needless to say, this all is a lot easier done on the
ground than in the heat of the moment... my
condolences to all affected by this tragedy.
=====
Richard Kaplan
rkaplan@flyimc.com
www.flyimc.com
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