PA44 (Possibly from ATP) Down in GA

Seggy said:
I would scare myself if I touched a piston airplane right now. Probably start flaring at 50 feet.
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I loved doing GA checkouts with airline/corporate jet guys. First approach is way too high, way to fast, and they end up going into the flare 50 AGL. Second approach is still fast but not as high and the flare is just a little high. Third approach everything is right where it should be, just like riding a bike. Always a blast seeing guys get their "stick 'n rudder" skills brushed off and taxiing back to the ramp with a big smile on their face.
 
I did a aerial tour flight in a 172. Sat in the back, girlfriend in front. Didn't bother me. Never heard of the pilot or the operator in my life.
 
I've never felt weird about being in the back seat of a GA plane, its fun really, relaxing for a change to not have to worry about anything.
 
When I'm holding short of the runway at work, it looks to me like the majority of GA pilots that I watch land drop too low below the glideslope on short final. If some of them were 2 feet lower they would have taken out a couple of threshold lights. I noticed this as well when I flew with my father-in-law who's a private pilot. That's my major complaint as an outside observer now.
 
My Uncle got checked out as an independent CFI in a Podunk FBO in South FL in order to teach me, just about 10 years ago. We had some really fun adventures, and I was able to learn the craft from a master... Senior MIA A300 CA at AA, former F4 USAF and C130 Commander in the guard. I was EXTREMELY fortunate that he didn't give up GA.
 
GaTechKid said:
When I'm holding short of the runway at work, it looks to me like the majority of GA pilots that I watch land drop too low below the glideslope on short final.
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From what I have seen, it is usually the other way around. They float well past the 1000'ers, and land halfway down the 5000' runway. Inability to control speed/power is a problem for new pilots. I would rather them land a little long (as long as the runway permits) than to drop short of the runway.
 
Boyington said:
From what I have seen, it is usually the other way around. They float well past the 1000'ers, and land halfway down the 5000' runway. Inability to control speed/power is a problem for new pilots. I would rather them land a little long (as long as the runway permits) than to drop short of the runway.
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"don't worry, there's another set of 1000'-markers at the other end of the runway." - IOE Captain
 
Seggy said:
I would scare myself if I touched a piston airplane right now. Probably start flaring at 50 feet.
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One of our senior RJ captains said the same thing about the TwinBo when we went flying. "Man if you keeled over, I wouldn't know where to start."
 
cencal83406 said:
I did a aerial tour flight in a 172. Sat in the back, girlfriend in front. Didn't bother me. Never heard of the pilot or the operator in my life.
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The last time I sat backseat in a GA aircraft was when @FlybyLaw took me and my ex wife on a Bay Tour about 5 years ago. I trust him completely and didn't even think about it until we took off, but there were a few moments of panic while I was sitting back there.
 
Seggy said:
What's a TwinBo? That a Delta designation?
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I think he means twin bonanza


image-3172148254.jpg
 
GaTechKid said:
When I'm holding short of the runway at work, it looks to me like the majority of GA pilots that I watch land drop too low below the glideslope on short final. If some of them were 2 feet lower they would have taken out a couple of threshold lights. I noticed this as well when I flew with my father-in-law who's a private pilot. That's my major complaint as an outside observer now.
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That is common at my local airports PAO and SQL. Short runways, open fields on final, busy airports. If you don't make the first 2-3 exits at peak times, you often end up sending someone around or making someone miss their departure sequence. I try to help controllers as much as I can and make the first exit whenever possible if I know I've got people waiting on me. I won't slam on the brakes, but I will come in slightly low to try and stick it on the numbers. Never heard of anyone landing short at either airport sans an engine failure.
 
GaTechKid said:
When I'm holding short of the runway at work, it looks to me like the majority of GA pilots that I watch land drop too low below the glideslope on short final. If some of them were 2 feet lower they would have taken out a couple of threshold lights. I noticed this as well when I flew with my father-in-law who's a private pilot. That's my major complaint as an outside observer now.
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Ah yes, the old "treat the 1000' markers as a displaced threshold" argument.
 
ChasenSFO said:
That is common at my local airports PAO and SQL. Short runways, open fields on final, busy airports. If you don't make the first 2-3 exits at peak times, you often end up sending someone around or making someone miss their departure sequence. I try to help controllers as much as I can and make the first exit whenever possible if I know I've got people waiting on me. I won't slam on the brakes, but I will come in slightly low to try and stick it on the numbers. Never heard of anyone landing short at either airport sans an engine failure.
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Things that are useless: runway behind you.
 
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