Training and Proficiency What A CFI Wants You To Know

Why Straight-In Approaches Aren’t So Straightforward

On a straight-in approach, pilots can miss cues for aircraft configuration changes, such as power reduction and addition of flaps.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 12:31 PM ET

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NTSB reports are full of events that can occur when a pilot on a straight-in forgets the landing gear. [Credit: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

Straight-in approaches, particularly at non-towered airports, significantly increase the risk of accidents by leading to forgotten checklists (e.g., landing gear deployment), improper aircraft configuration, and reduced situational awareness for other traffic, as highlighted by the Watsonville collision.
Adhering to standard traffic patterns and consistently using checklists provides crucial cues for pilots to properly configure their aircraft (slow down, deploy flaps/gear) and enhances "see and avoid" practices, which are vital for safe landings.
While generally discouraged for routine operations, straight-in approaches are appropriate and should be practiced under instruction for emergency scenarios such as mechanical failures, sudden adverse weather, or urgent passenger needs.

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On August 18, 2022, a twin-engine Cessna 340A collided with a Cessna 152 on final approach into Watsonville Municipal Airport (KWVI) south of San Jose, California, during VFR conditions.

Three miles out from the airport, the pilot of the C-340A announced he was doing a straight-in. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined the larger, faster airplane was not configured for landing as its approach speed was 180 knots. The published flap extension speed for the C-340A is 160 knots, and the landing gear extension speed is 140 knots.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.