What's the proper technique for landing when braking conditions are poor?

What are the proper techniques for landing when braking conditions are poor, such as a wet / icy / or snowed on runway? Obviously you want to avoid it if possible, but what are the danger signs to look out for?

stick-and-rudder landings

asked Feb 05 '10 at 16:53

Patrick Pohler ♦♦
1337●18●41●117

2 Answers:

oldest newest most voted

Depending on the wind conditions, run with a short field approach. Wet is not too much of a drama, you definately want to control your speed with icy conditions - no flapless appraoches unless completely necessary and snow, that is not good. How deep is it? You wont know that until you land, so I would avoid that as much as possible.

answered Feb 28 '10 at 04:41

James
61●1

Nice answer James, short field makes sense. Slow speed and it increases your margin of error in case things go awry!

(Mar 03 '10 at 17:00) Patrick Pohler ♦♦

Also, I’d recommend that you execute a “positive” touch. I.E.: hit the runaway a little bit harder than the usual, unless you think there might be something TOO deep (in which case I don’t think the landing spot is good anyway).

If you touch harder, you have more chances of breaking any reasonably thin coat of ice or snow or even water, thus allowing the tyre to get a better grip.

Of course, always make sure that you’re not going to touch on a surface covered with 1 meter of snow dust… ;)

answered Apr 22 '10 at 15:01