Work Day

“On this approach I want you to focus on flying a visual 3deg slope, maintaining that "site" picture to the touchdown zone. It's the picture we have practiced this whole week. Remember?”
“Yes Captain.”
All your other approaches have been low...really low. That is why I’ve had to take over the airplane so many times. Those times when I say MY AIRPLANE.”
“Yes Captain.”
“We have talked about how being so low is a strong indication that a crash may occur.”
“Yes Captain.”
“Captain Phil has strong feelings about this, very strong. This runway is short with gravel and holes in it. You need to be precise where you touchdown. The back yard of those huts over there won’t do.”
“Yes Captain, I understand now.”


1000’ above landing:

“Ok that looks good. Keep this look all the way to flare. Adjust power with small changes. Airspeed…”
“Yes Captain.”
We are getting low again. Add power! Bring it up a little.”
“Is this better Captain?”
“No! Way too much power…and you have to bring the nose up. We can’t land like this!”
“Yes Captain.”
“You have to adjust power…that’s what those levers are for….MY AIRPLANE”
“Yes Captain.”


After landing during taxi:

“So pretty much the same thing happened there I think. You were low again. We about took the pots off the heads of those people walking by the runway. Shattered pots on the runway and God knows what else, could have been a real mess.”
“Was that better Captain?”
“Yea...it was a lot better.”

pw