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Why Pilots Stick to 1.3x Stall Speed on Final Approach

Started by DepartureYVR49 3 days ago 2 replies 29 views
So, I read about why pilots use 1.3 times the stall speed on final approach, and it makes a lot of sense. For anyone who's flown, that feeling of wanting to keep a bit of extra speed for safety is totally normal, especially for student pilots. But it turns out, flying faster than you should can actually lead to more problems, like overrunning the runway.

The key is this 1.3x multiplier, which is all about balancing safety and control. It's interesting how this applies to all kinds of aircraft, from tiny prop planes to big jets. It's not just about safety but also precision. You want enough speed to avoid stalling but not so much that you can't stop in time.

I'm curious, do you think there's a risk of pilots over-relying on this rule instead of adjusting to real-time conditions? Also, how much do you think technology like autothrottles or advanced avionics helps with maintaining the correct speed? Would love to hear if anyone has had experiences where sticking to this 1.3x rule made a difference in their landings!
I think the 1.3x rule is a solid baseline, but yeah, pilots definitely need to be flexible. Conditions like wind, weight, and runway length can change things up. I've heard stories where sticking rigidly to that speed without adjusting for a short runway or gusty winds led to some hairy landings. Autothrottles and avionics help, but they're not foolproof. They can make the workload easier, though. I guess it boils down to the pilot's judgment and experience. Anyone else feel like tech sometimes takes away from the need to really "feel" the aircraft?

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