AA.III.D.R1FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Risk management
Selection of the approach path and touchdown area based on aircraft limitations, availa...
Selection of the approach path and touchdown area based on aircraft limitations, available distance, surface conditions, and wind.
Bottom line
Pilots performing glassy water landings may experience some difficulty in determining their altitude above the surface. Another technique is to make the final approach over land, crossing the shoreline at the lowest possible safe altitude so that a reliable height reference is maintained to within a few feet of the water surface.
FAA references
- SEA ch. 9 (p. 9-4) — FAA-H-8083-23
- RMH ch. 3 (p. 3-7) — FAA-H-8083-2A
- PHAK ch. 12 (p. 12-8) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- AIM 7-4-4 (Vortex Behavior) — AIM Basic 2/20/25 w/ Change 1 (8/7/25) & Change 2 (1/22/26)
- AFH ch. 12, Operational Procedures (p. 12-4) — FAA-H-8083-3C
- SEA ch. 6 (p. 6-6) — FAA-H-8083-23
- AFH ch. 18 (pp. 18-4–18-5) — FAA-H-8083-3C
- SEA ch. 6 (p. 6-8) — FAA-H-8083-23
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