Constant-rate descents on non-precision approaches

[Orange Anchor]

Orange Anchor,

Your post brought a thought to the mostly useless grey matter between my shoulders. After the synapses finally powered up, I thought about the Ron Brown accident.

Here you had an Air Force VIP squadron that had a boondoggled NDB approach.

And again you had culture playing a very strong role in the evolution. The 737 had only 1 ADF for an approach that required 2. You had a squadron that was reportedly notorious for pushing crews and an airport with a very questionable approach and when they crashed, many wanted to know 'wha' happened?' It was a goat rope from the start with bad consequences.

Flying Tigers deal too. Yes, THAT Flying Tigers video that we see every year for CRM. Sitting around watching that video, one wonders what those guys were doing in the cockpit. However, a more thought out process leads us to realize that this was a highly experienced crew, and as Flying Tigers was a scheduled operation, that was not the first time they went into that airport.

The end of it all is the reality that the further we are removed from non-precisions (especially those of us on VNAV aircraft), the more dangerous they become.

Recency, currency and a healthy apprehension for something out of the usual. I said often in the sim, "NO business as usual. That can and will get you killed." But the truth is, we in the US are provided with a very advanced environment to work in. And it is easy to think that every day is just like any other. Nothing happens. We just think nothing happens because it doesn't happen to US. Visit this site to see what is going on daily. http://avherald.com/

Bird strikes, engine failures, smoke in cabin/cockpit, over-runs, pressurization failure. Yes, likelihood it will happen to you? Probably remote. But it is happening.

 

[MikeD]

And again you had culture playing a very strong role in the evolution. The 737 had only 1 ADF for an approach that required 2. You had a squadron that was reportedly notorious for pushing crews and an airport with a very questionable approach and when they crashed, many wanted to know 'wha' happened?' It was a goat rope from the start with bad consequences.

Correct. It wasn't that those guys didn't know how to fly an NDB approach, but in order to make the mission happen, they thought they could get away with not having the minimum equipment.