“November 12345 is cleared for the visual approach to Runway One Left, traffic is a Boeing 737 on a seven-mile final behind you, maintain best speed, contact the tower….”
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Keep Your Speed Up
"November 12345 is cleared for the visual approach to Runway One Left, traffic is a Boeing 737 on a seven-mile final behind you, maintain best speed, contact the tower....Fly into a Class C or Class B primary airport and youll eventually be asked to keep your speed up because of inbound traffic behind you. Do it IFR, even at some Class D facilities, and youd best be very ready to mix with the heavy iron, which easily could be approaching 100 knots faster than your flivver can manage.
Key Takeaways:
- Pilots can effectively manage workload and predict aircraft performance during approaches, particularly when asked by ATC to maintain speed, by using "by the numbers" techniques with predetermined power, attitude, and configuration settings.
- High-speed approach techniques involve flying at an elevated speed (just below VLO/VFE) and, at an "action point" like glideslope intercept, executing a practiced sequence of gear extension, power reduction, and flap deployment to transition to a stabilized descent.
- Prioritizing safety, pilots must achieve a stabilized approach by at least 500 feet AGL; they should decline any ATC request ("unable") that would compromise a safe and stabilized approach or if the technique has not been adequately practiced.
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