232k views
2 votes
While flying a 3° glide slope, a constant tailwind shears to a calm wind. Which conditions should the pilots expect?

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Pilots should expect a decrease in groundspeed and potentially a steeper descent angle when a constant tailwind shears to a calm wind during a 3° glide slope, necessitating adjustments to maintain the desired approach speed.

Step-by-step explanation:

While flying a 3° glide slope with a constant tailwind that shears to a calm wind, pilots should expect that their aircraft's groundspeed will decrease. When the tailwind subsides, the plane is no longer receiving the additional push along its flight path, and thus, must rely solely on its power to maintain the descent path.

Without the tailwind, the aircraft may also descend at a steeper angle to maintain the glide slope, meaning the pilots must adjust the throttle to maintain the desired approach speed. It's important to continuously monitor instruments and make adjustments, sustaining the required descent angle without assistance from the wind.

When flying a 3° glide slope with a tailwind that shears to a calm wind, the pilots should expect a change in their approach path.

The tailwind would initially cause the aircraft to have a higher groundspeed, which could result in a shallower approach angle and a longer landing distance.

However, when the tailwind shears to a calm wind, the aircraft would experience a sudden decrease in groundspeed, potentially causing the aircraft to have a steeper approach angle and a shorter landing distance.

User NSS
by
8.2k points