LANDING THE F-16
THE VIPER PILOT WAY
Copyright By Paul Wilson ©1999
INTRODUCTION
Ever since Falcon 4.0 came out one of the most difficult tasks for people new to the program has been figuring out how to land properly. This tutorial was written for those people who are looking for a landing technique that they can use for their F4.0 experience. Still, don't get the idea that this is only a tutorial for beginners. Many people are able to land just fine but they may not be landing in a way that is safe or easy. I personally had a great system for landing that I used for almost a year before learning of another system that worked better. I took it upon myself to learn how to land using this new system. The system I refer to is based on the approach that real F-16 pilots use to land the real aircraft. Some of you may find that this approach is much different from the one you have used in the past. If you are interested in landing properly like a real F-16 pilot or if you are simply interested in seeing how it is done, read on!
Perhaps most people who land using Falcon 4.0 monitor their Flight Path Marker (FPM) and airspeed above all else. The approach that I outline below ignores airspeed and places emphasis on the AOA bracket. By using the FPM and AOA bracket, you can do very nice landings at any weight without having to monitor airspeed at all. In fact, you will notice that the airspeed isn't displayed at all in any of my screenshots below! Once you are on the glideslope and your speed is low enough to drop your gear, you can ignore airspeed and focus on landing using the FPM and its relation to the runway and the AOA bracket. Once you follow the proper procedure for landing, your airspeed will be exactly where it should be automatically.
The image below shows both the FPM and the AOA bracket. They are both outlined inside of a red square:
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FPM AND AOA BRACKET |
You will all be familiar with the FPM but you might not be familiar with the AOA bracket. The AOA bracket is a bracket shaped item on the HUD that indicates your angle of attack (the number of degrees between the direction of travel - the FPM - and the direction your nose is pointed - the gun cross) . It generally appears on the HUD after you lower your landing gear. If the FPM is above the AOA bracket then your angle of attack is lower than 11 degrees. If it is at the top of the bracket (like in the image above), then you are at 11 degrees angle of attack (AOA). If in the middle you are at 13 degrees AOA (optimum AOA for landing) and if at the bottom then you are at 15 degrees AOA (too high of an AOA for a safe landing).
This tutorial is divided into two sections. The first is called LANDING THE F-16 and the second is titled FLAMEOUT LANDINGS. You should know the basics of regular landing before tackling the flameout landing section.
LANDING THE F-16
Now that we have gotten that all out of the way we can talk about landing. When approaching the runway and within a few miles distance, lower your brake and get your speed below 250 kts. Lower your gear when it is safe to do so.
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INTERCEPTING THE GLIDESLOPE - BRAKE OPEN AND GEAR DOWN |
You will want your glideslope to be 2.5 to 3 degrees. Once this has occurred, place your FPM on the front of the runway using the control stick. This event can be seen in the image below:
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Very good, two things have now occurred:
1. We are now on the glideslope (2.5 degrees - notice how the FPM is directly between the 0 and 5 degree pitch ladder lines).
2. The FPM is sitting on the front of the runway.
There is now a third thing we need to do. We need to get the FPM to the top of the AOA bracket. We can control our angle of attack using the throttle. If the FPM is above the AOA bracket then you will need to reduce power so that your AOA increases. I will usually drop the throttle completely to idle. Remember to keep the FPM on the front of the runway while you increase your AOA. With your throttle at idle the separation will happen quickly. In the image above the FPM would meet the top of the bracket on idle in about 10-15 seconds. Once you have gotten the FPM near to the top of the AOA bracket you will need to increase your power to keep the FPM at the top of the bracket. Usually a setting of 82-83 RPM (2200 fuel flow) for light aircraft or 84-87 RPM (2300-2400 fuel flow) for heavy will keep you on the top of the bracket with no real problems.
The image below is probably the most important image in this tutorial. It shows an F-16 properly aligned for landing:
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You will notice that all three conditions are now met:
1. We are on the glideslope.
2. The FPM is at the front of the runway.
3. The FPM is lined up with the top of the AOA bracket.
Now all you need to do is hold it there! Below are four images showing glideslope alignment problems and their solutions. They are basic and pretty understandable. In this first image the FPM is below the runway threshold. All you simply need to do is pull back on the stick to get yourself back on the runway. Make sure you are still on the glideslope.
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This next image shows the FPM too high in relation to the runway. Answer? You guessed it: Stick forward.
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This next image shows the AOA too low (the FPM is above the bracket). Decrease power slightly to get your AOA up.
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This last image shows the FPM deep in the AOA bracket. In this image the FPM isn't in a really bad position but you might want to think about adding a touch of power if it drops any more.
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Keeping the FPM at the top of the AOA bracket is not difficult. It does require a bit of finesse though. Only small amounts of throttle change will be required to keep the FPM where it should be. I tend to land by doing quick taps of the keyboard throttle keys (+ and -). It works ok with a regular HOTAS setup also.
OK, so that is basically it. You will want to control the location of the FPM with the stick and the AOA with the throttle. Once you get used to this then landing becomes easy. Once all three conditions are met and you are on a proper approach your speed will be exactly where it should be (about 140 kts for a light aircraft and 170 kts for a heavy one). This approach of monitoring the FPM marker and the AOA bracket is helpful in that you don't have to worry about proper speeds for proper weight. Many F4.0 pilots find themselves falling out of the sky because they attempt landings using speed and get their speed wrong (too slow). A high airspeed results in lower AOA landings that could have dire consequences in the form of bouncing or crashing. Staying on the glideslope with a proper AOA keeps you from having to worry about airspeed at all.
Here is that important image again showing an optimal glideslope approach with all three conditions met. It is different in that I have placed a red box around that area of the screen showing what you will want to look at clear up until the point where you flare. You can basically ignore looking at airspeed, altitude, fuel flow, the AOA light, etc. Still, there is certainly no problem with looking around the cockpit occasionally. I personally have a habit of taking glances at the fuel flow occasionally but that is just me. The great thing about using the FPM and AOA bracket almost exclusively for landing is that airspeed magically takes care of itself and you can keep your eyes on a small area of the HUD at almost all times. This helps decrease the workload while keeping SA high.
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This next image shows the situation just short of the runway threshold. All three conditions are still met. My FPM is located short of the optimal touchdown point:
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This next image shows a different landing using a heavier aircraft. Notice that the RPM is at 87% instead of 83% like in the image above. Other than that, there is no difference:
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Now I am over the threshold and getting ready to flare:
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I'm now within seconds of landing and I gently flare a little by pulling back on the stick. This causes the FPM to move down the length of the runway. The flare for the F-16 is very small. You do not need much of a flare at all since you will only be transitioning from 11 degrees to the optimal AOA of 13 degrees. I also decrease my power as I pull back and let the aircraft settle those last few feet to the runway. This next image shows a flare during that last second before landing. You will notice that my RPM has dropped to 75. It is rapidly heading to 60%:
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Touchdown! This next image shows me at about 12-13 degrees AOA. At this AOA you will not have to worry about bouncing back into the air. Your aircraft will "stick" to the ground:
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Be careful with the flare. Sometimes it is easy to flare too much and find yourself floating above the runway without settling. Cutting the power helps a lot. Try a few different flare techniques and see what works for you. Be careful with these landings though. It is very easy to flare too much and find yourself at touchdown at 15 degrees AOA. Once you get good at landing this way you will be able to drop your tires to the pavement at the correct AOA, speed, and location on the runway.
You don't need to cut the throttle early like I have if you don't want to. If you try it this way you will want your flare to be very very small. You will be between 9-11 degrees AOA on landing. You will want to throttle to idle at the moment the wheels connect with the ground.
To summarize landing:
1. Get your airspeed down and your airbrake open and gear down.
2. Get yourself onto the glideslope (2.5-3 degrees).
3. Keep the FPM on the front of the runway (stick) and the FPM at the top of the AOA bracket (11 degrees AOA) (throttle).
4. When just a few seconds from landing do a small flare and cut power to idle. You may want your flare to be even smaller if you decide to cut your power at the moment your wheels make contact with the ground. Aerobrake on the ground by holding the gun cross above 10+ degrees.
Here is one final image for you. This image shows a 13 degree approach at opposed to an 11 degree approach. This type of approach is generally used by F-16 pilots for short field landings. Generally you will not want to flare at all. Just drop the aircraft right onto the runway!
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I hope this helps you. Even if it doesn't it gives you a feel for an alternative approach to landing that is very similar to the type of landing done by F-16 pilots. Remember not to get discouraged if you have problems trying to land this way. Like all things it takes practice.
FINAL NOTE ON FLARING: The approach I have mentioned above is the one outlined by Pete Bonanni in the F4.0 manual. So long as you hold the 11 AOA approach to the threshold and then run the FPM down the runway you will do well. Just remember to pull back on the throttle during those final seconds and let the aircraft settle to the runway.
Here is another approach you can use as well: As you get to the threshold you can goose the power with the throttle a tiny bit and allow the additional power to move your FPM down the runway. It requires only a very small amount of power to do. You will then need to cut power to idle before touchdown. I personally do not use this approach since it is very easy to balloon the aircraft or find yourself climbing away from the runway.
You might have noticed that I never talked about the AOA light to the side of the HUD. F-16 pilots rarely look at it. Don't worry about the fact that the AOA light shows you fast (low AOA) while on approach. That is normal. All that is important is that you are in the "green" at the point where your tires touch the ground. The transition to "green" usually occurs during the flare. As far as airspeed is concerned, it is generally only referenced during landing if there is a HUD failure or under certain AOA malfunctions. It is highly recommended that you do not let your AOA while on approach increase beyond 11-12 degrees (unless you are doing short field approaches). During the flare, the F4.0 program has a habit of allowing the pilot to increase beyond 13 degrees AOA much quicker than in the real aircraft. For this reason, it is better to err on the safe side and keep the AOA at 11 units. You should figure out an approach to flaring that will get you to 13 degrees AOA at the moment of touchdown. Be careful with the flare though. Since you are only transitioning from 11 to 13 degrees, it can hardly be called a flare. Don't overdo it. Q1 landings should occur between 300 feet of the runway threshold and 1000 feet down. If you land beyond 1000 feet of the threshold you should not pat yourself on the back. Keep practicing until you can land consistently in the Q1 area. Once you get good at landing it will be possible to set down on the runway touchdown markers quite often. Straight-in approaches are generally only flown in the real aircraft when weather is bad, when approaches are being practiced, under certain emergencies, or while heavily weighed. Try doing overhead approaches. Try turning off of base and onto final while only a mile or two from the runway threshold. This obviously requires more skill that a straight-in approach but it duplicates real F-16 landings to a higher degree. These approaches can be difficult due to view restrictions imposed by your computer but they are certainly doable. CONCERNING ILS APPROACHES: While an F-16 visual approach should have you landing 300-1000 feet down the runway, an ILS approach will have you landing farther down. This is normal though. Accept the longer touchdown. Most pilots, if they break out of bad weather early, will intercept the 2.5 degree glideslope and land visually. They will generally switch off the ILS to remove clutter from the HUD. The following is taken from the military FLYING OPERATIONS: PILOT OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES - F-16. While this specific information does not have much practical value for helping you land the F-16, it does allow you to understand a little bit about real F-16 landing procedure: Approaches and Landings. The desired touchdown point for a VFR approach is 500 feet from the threshold, or the glidepath interception point for a precision approach. When local procedures or unique runway surface conditions require landing beyond a given point on the runway, the desired touchdown point will be adjusted accordingly. Final approach will normally be flown at 11 degrees AOA. Touchdown spacing behind an aircraft while flying a 13 degree approach will be a minimum of 6,000 feet due to susceptibility of the aircraft to wake turbulence and speedbrake/tail scrapes. Minimum pattern and touchdown spacing between landing aircraft is 3,000 feet for similar aircraft (e.g. F-16 versus F-16), 6,000 feet for dissimilar aircraft (e.g. F-16 versus F-15) or as directed by MAJCOM or the landing base, whichever is higher. When wake turbulence is expected due to calm winds or when landing with a light tail wind, spacing should be increased. To avoid possible speedbrake or nozzle damage, touch down either past a raised approach-end cable, or 500 feet prior to the cable. With centerline stores, touchdown will normally be past an approach-end cable. Circumstances that may dictate landing prior to the cable include runway length, wind, runway condition (wet or icy), gross weight, or an aircraft malfunction where full normal braking may not be available. Single-ship or formation landings with centerline stores may be made across BAK-12 arrestment cables which have been modified with an 8-point tiedown system.
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FLAMEOUT LANDING
Video of Falcon 4.0 F-16
FLAMEOUT LANDING
Flameout landings really aren't that difficult. In fact I have found them to be quite easy. This section of the tutorial will try to teach you some basics in learning how to do them successfully.
The first thing you should do when a flameout occurs is to jettison your stores. Jettison all of it as soon as you can.
One thing that makes this type of landing different from the normal type of landing is that you will want your glideslope angle to be 11 degrees as opposed to 2.5-3 and your AOA to be 6 degrees instead of 11. The high glideslope and low AOA are necessary to get you to the runway without losing all your energy and crashing short of the field. This first image shows me intercepting the glideslope. I have placed the FPM on the front of the runway. Do not lower your gear or open your speedbrake yet! I should mention that you could really use any angle between 11 and 17 degrees but it is much better intercepting the glideslope at 11 degrees.
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Two important conditions have now been met in the above image:
1. We are now on the 11 degree glideslope (the FPM is just below the 10 degree pitch ladder line).
2. The FPM has been placed on the front of the runway.
Now we need to do a third thing. We need to get our AOA to 6 degrees. For our regular landings we were able to get to our 11 degree AOA by using the AOA bracket. For our flameout landing we will not have an AOA bracket to work with since we have not lowered our gear. We do not need the bracket though. We can visually tell what AOA we are at by looking at the difference between the FPM and the gun cross. The image above shows us at about 4 degrees AOA. You will notice that the distance between the FPM and the gun cross is only 4/5 the distance from the 5 and 10 degree pitch ladder lines.
So if our AOA is low, how do we increase it? We need to decrease or speed. We can do this by opening up the speedbrake. We simply need to open it until we reach 6 degrees. At that point we can close them again. If the AOA is too high then we will need to make sure the speedbrakes are closed so that the AOA can decrease.
You will notice that I have not talked about airspeed. As long as your stores have been jettisoned, you are on a glideslope of 11 degrees, and your AOA is at 6 degrees, you will be at 210 kts airspeed which is exactly where you want to be. I do occasionally take a glance at the airspeed but you generally will not need to. Like in the first section of the tutorial there is no airspeed showing in any of my screenshots. It isn't necessary to place too much of an emphasis on it.
This next image is the most important image in the flameout tutorial. It shows exactly what you should see for an approach that is at a proper 11 degree glideslope and an AOA of 6 degrees:
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The next four images show solutions to various approach problems. This first image shows the FPM below the front of the runway. The solution is very simple. Pull back on the stick to get that FPM to the runway threshold.
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This second image shows the FPM too high. Push forward on the stick.
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This next image shows the AOA too high. We are going too slow. If our brake is open we will need to close it to get our speed back up and our AOA lowered. This image shows our AOA at about 7 degrees. Remember that we want 6 degrees.
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This final image shows the reverse situation. Our AOA is too low because our speed is too high. Open your speed brake. This will create drag slowing you down and raising the AOA.
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You will notice that the big difference between a flameout landing and a regular landing is that we use the throttle to control our AOA in a regular landing and the brake to control our AOA in a flameout landing.
Anyway, on with the tutorial: Usually, once I get to 2000 feet from the ground (ok I admit it, I do look at my altitude sometimes) I will make sure my brake is closed and then lower my gear. This next image shows me just before I lower the gear. At this point I am still doing everything right for a proper landing (11 degree glideslope and 5-6 degree AOA).
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At about 500-300 feet (the altitude in the image above) we will start flaring. Now you may be wondering why we are starting to flare 500 feet above the ground. With our normal landing we flared about 100 feet above the ground. Trust me, you will want to start flaring at the 500 foot level. The flare will be very gradual as you slowly move the FPM down the length of the runway. The image above was taken 15 seconds from touchdown and I spent all 15 seconds transitioning through the flare. Here are two more images showing my flare and my relation to the ground:
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Here are my final two images. The first shows me only seconds before touchdown. My FPM will usually float near the end of the runway for about 3-5 seconds before touchdown. Sometimes, if my AOA seems low (about 6 degrees) I will place the FPM on the horizon and float a few feet above the ground for a few seconds allowing my AOA to increase. The final image actually shows my touchdown. My AOA is near 10 degrees. Do not worry too much if your AOA is a little lower. You will also notice that you will land further down the runway than usual. This is normal for a flameout landing. Don't go too far though if you can help it.
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Upon touchdown you will want to extend the speed brake to help slow you down. Increase your AOA above 10 degrees to help aerobrake you.
That's it. Here is a recap of flameout landing procedure:
1. Jettison your stores!
2. Intercept the 11 degree glideslope.
3. Keep the FPM on the front of the runway (stick) and your AOA at 6 degrees (brake).
4. At 2000 feet close your brake (if open) and lower your gear. Ignore the brake from now on and fly the FPM.
5. Start flaring between 500-300 feet AGL. The flare will be gradual and needs to be timed so that the FPM is at the end of the runway when just short of touchdown.
6. Upon touchdown aerobrake by holding your nose at 10+ degrees and open your speedbrake.
Here are some suggestions from the F4.0 manual concering flameout landings should you flame out below or above the glideslope:
1. If the runway is rising in your HUD and your airspeed is bleeding off, you will not make it to the runway.
2. It will take you about 7000 feet of altitude to execute a 360 degree turn. If you are high and have an extra 7000 feet then do a descending 360 turn.
3. If you are high (above the 11-17 degree glide path) but not high enough to do a 360 degree turn, use the speed brakes and a series of S-turns back and forth to get down to the proper glide path.
I mentioned that I thought flameout landings were easy. They are. If you have difficulties, practice, practice, practice.
Here is information related to flameout landings
taken from FLYING OPERATIONS: F-16 COMBAT AIRCRAFT
FUNDAMENTALS: Flame-Out Approach (FO) Techniques and
Procedures A flamed-out F-16 has the capacity
to cover a finite distance over the ground based on altitude, aircraft
configuration (weight and drag), winds, and field elevation. Assuming that
the best glide speed for the aircraft configuration is maintained, the
only significant variable to be accommodated is the wind. A flamed-out
F-16 with the EPU running maintains a full-up computer navigation system
with flight path marker and pitch lines. Since the flight path marker
takes winds into account and the best glide speed for the configuration
generates an optimum glide slope, it is then only necessary to determine
where the recovery field is relative to the flight path marker to
determine if the approach will be successful. If the field lies beyond the
flight path marker, the approach will be short and ejection should be
considered. If the field lies short of the flight path marker, excess
energy is indicated which may accommodate a variety of successful
approaches and landings. The overhead approach affords the most
opportunities to properly manage available energy while providing the best
visual clues for pattern corrections. With reference to the HUD, however,
the straight-in approach can also be a viable alternative. Straight-In Flame-Out
Pattern And Approach In the Dash 1 discussion of a
straight-in SFO, we're told to maintain an optimum speed gear-up glide
until the initial aimpoint on the runway is 11º - 17º below the horizon,
then lower the gear and continue the glide at optimum gear-down speed.
Engine-out tests at Edwards AFB resulted in a gear-down best range glide
between 10º and 11º flight path angle which could be steepened to 17º
flight path angle with the speed brakes; thus the 11º - 17º window for
lowering the gear. The Dash 1 doesn't include HUD techniques for the FO,
nor does it discuss the effect that a headwind or tailwind will have on
the 11º - 17º flight path angle window. Experience has shown that energy
can be managed most effectively with reference to the HUD flight path
marker and pitch lines WHILE MAINTAINING OPTIMUM AIRSPEED. The flight path marker accounts for
wind. For every 20 knots of headwind component, the flight path marker
will show about a 1º increase in flight path angle (aircraft pitch/AOA to
maintain optimum airspeed does not change). Establish and maintain optimum
airspeed for the configuration. The HUD will then accurately depict where
your optimum flight path will take you, all variables accounted for.
Regardless of actual flight path angles involved, lowering the gear will
increase the flight path angle 3.5 -4º. When the engine quits, jettison
stores and turn toward the nearest suitable runway. Establish best range
speed of 210 KCAS (plus fuel/stores). Trade excess airspeed for altitude.
The EPU should be on and, if the engine is windmilling with aircraft fuel
available, the JFS should be turned on below 20,000' MSL to extend EPU
operating time (10 minutes with normal demands; up to 15 minutes with the
JFS running). The JFS will also provide B system hydraulic pressure for
normal gear extension, normal brakes and nosewheel steering. With an
optimum glide established, if the flight path marker is on the runway or
beyond and optimum speed is maintained, the threshold will slowly move
downward in the HUD field of view indicating excess energy (in terms of
altitude) for the approach. This is good because sooner or later the
initial aimpoint (1/3 of the way down the runway) will lie within the
gear-down window. The gear may be extended when the aimpoint is between
11º and 17º and landing is assured . If EPU fuel depletion is a factor because of range to the runway,
consider a 10º gear-up glide when the best range glide has given you a 1:1
ratio between altitude in thousands of feet and range to the runway (i.e.,
20,000' AGL at 20 NM). Airspeed can be increased to 300 - 330 knots,
cutting time required to reach the runway and reducing EPU fuel used (see
paragraph on "IMC Penetration" in Dash 1 FO procedures). When the gear is
lowered (alternate extension required unless the JFS is motoring the
engine), continue the glide at best range (gear down) speed. Use speed
brakes as required to maintain the desired glide path and airspeed
parameters, and achieve a steady-state optimum gear-down glide prior to
the flare point with the flight path marker on the aimpoint. In a
nutshell, if you flame out, regardless of altitude or distance out (within
EPU fuel constraints), and the recovery field is below the 7º pitch line,
you immediately know you can get there. Winds can affect this
equation. Unless you confirm an energy surplus, it is extremely important to
maintain optimum speeds throughout the approach. Excessive airspeed will
increase the glide path angle and consequently decrease range. Low
airspeed will do the same thing, in addition to providing progressively
less energy to flare the aircraft or zoom to safe ejection parameters.
Below the gear down minimum speed, the flight path marker shifts
dramatically towards you (short), and energy may be insufficient to flare
and touch down without damaging the aircraft, or worse. There is no way to
"stretch" the glide. If the aimpoint shifts upward in the HUD field of
view beyond the flight path marker, this indicates that you will not be
able to make the runway. Ejection should not be delayed in a futile
attempt to salvage a questionable approach .
If you've managed your energy to achieve an optimum gear-down glide
with the flight path marker on the initial aimpoint, the only chore
remaining is to flare and land the aircraft so that you touchdown between
10º and 13º AOA with enough runway remaining to get the jet stopped before
running out of runway or cables. Once landing is assured, the recommended
procedure is to shift the aimpoint from 1/3 down the runway to a position
short of the intended touchdown point. Techniques presented here will
consistently produce touchdowns at 2500' to 3000'. If a shorter touchdown
is required, simply adjust the optimum glide aimpoint an appropriate
distance short of the threshold. The trick is to transition from a "steep
final" to a touchdown flight path angle of less than 2º. If the flare is
too abrupt or begun too early, you will run out of airspeed prior to
touchdown. The result will be an excessive sink rate and probable damage
to the jet. The opposite is also true. You can't hit the runway in a 10º
dive and expect good results . With practice, a simulated flameout flare will become second
nature. Meanwhile, there's an easily remembered set of parameters which
will approximate what you're looking for and help you avoid the extremes
mentioned above. At about 300' AGL, start a smooth flare. This will give
you a picture similar to a normal final and get you into ground effect
with enough energy to complete the flare (hold it off if necessary) and
grease it on at 10º to 13º AOA. The speed brakes should normally be closed
at this point. Use them if you need them but realize they will
dramatically increase energy decay if extended during normal roundout and
flare. If your energy state (glide slope/altitude with respect to the
runway) is too great to be managed with speed brakes alone, dive off
altitude or modify the ground track. Use caution when employing either of
these methods. It is very easy to overdo the correction since either
method may involve removing the runway environment from the HUD field of
view during the correction. The overhead approach may be entered at any
position provided the proper altitude for that point in the pattern can be
obtained. The main concern is to reach high key, low key, or base key at
or above prescribed minimum altitudes. Commentary on the above text: 1. If in doubt, eject. The pilot matters
not the plane. 2. Fly between 11 and 17 degrees for the
glideslope. 10-11 degrees has been shown to be the best flight path
angle. Greater angles are possible but require more use of the
speedbrake. I personally can't imagine coming in at 17
degrees. That is a very high angle. 3. For every twenty knots of headwind the
glide angle should be increased by 1 degree. In F4.0 you will seldom
if ever see a headwind that high but if you do you might want to think
about using a 12 degree approach instead of an 11 degree
approach. 4. When your engine first quits dump your
stores and fly at 210 kts. CAS airspeed. Once on the 11 degree
glideslope at 6 degrees AOA your speed will actually be 210 kts.
Great huh? 5. Control airspeed with the brake. Now
that's easy enough to understand. Brake open increases AOA and
decreases speed and brake closed decreases AOA and increases
speed. 6. As Pete Bonanni mentions in the F4.0 manual
if the runway is rising in your HUD and your airspeed is dropping, you
will not make it to the runway. Eject as soon as
possible. 7. At 300 feet AGL start a smooth flare.
This is different than the F4.0 manual. Bonanni suggests 500 feet
AGL. Both altitudes work. Don't go below 300
though. 8. As the text mentions above, if your energy
state is too high for speedbrakes to handle alone bleed off that energy by
diving and/or modifying ground track. What does that mean?
Assume we are above the glideslope, our speed is high, and our brake is
open. If the brake isn't doing the job we can dive below the
glideslope and then follow that track to help bleed off the excess
energy. You need to be very careful with this approach though.
If things go wrong, remember, when in doubt, eject.
CONCLUSION
That is it for the tutorials. I hope they were of help to you. I should mention that this tutorial is only valuable as a starting point for determining your own type of approach. Develop a style that works for you. I like landing in the way I have outlined because it seems to work very well and it almost completely reproduces the landing techniques used by real F-16 pilots. There is power in knowing that you do it correctly (or at least semi-correctly).