AA.VI.F.R7FAA-S-ACS-11A · Nov 2023Risk management

Attempting to land from an unstable approach.

ACS element text (the applicant demonstrates understanding of)

Attempting to land from an unstable approach.

Bottom line

Excess approach speed carried through the threshold window and onto the runway increases the minimum stopping distance required by 20–30 feet per knot for a dry runway and 40–50 feet for a wet runway. For large sink rates, drastic corrective measures would be required that, even if successful, would destabilize the approach. If an increasing sink rate is detected, it should be countered by increasing the AOA and simultaneously increasing thrust to counter the extra drag.

FAA references

  1. AFH ch. 9 (p. 9-6) — FAA-H-8083-3C
  2. AFH ch. 16 (p. 16-22) — FAA-H-8083-3C
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