Glide Approach

This lesson teaches the student to carry out an approach and landing in a gyroplane without relying on engine power. Initially introduced during circuit training, it also provides essential skills for forced landings without power.

From approximately 1,000 feet AGL on downwind, the student should be able to plan and carry out a glide approach to reach the one-third aiming point.

Once a landing is assured, various techniques can be used to increase the rate of descent and steepen the approach, allowing the student to touch down as near to the threshold as practicable.

Objective

To complete a glide approach and landing without engine power from the 1,000-foot AGL downwind position.

Considerations

Several factors will affect the ability of the gyroplane to reach the one-third aiming point. Once this point is assured, the approach can be steepened to progressively move the aiming point towards the landing threshold, making better use of the available landing distance.

As this exercise will initially be practised at the home aerodrome, the student should be encouraged to aim approximately one-third of the way along the runway. As proficiency improves, the available landing distance can be progressively reduced by requiring the student to land and stop before a nominated point on the runway, while maintaining adequate safety margins.