Page 25 - Volume 15 Number 2

But when we are touching down on the short dirt strip at the ranch, we are forced to do our best “guesstimate” and place the 50 foot point at a location a little short of the actual runway, so that our touchdown point is safely near the actual threshold.
I, as well as many other aviation writers, have used lots of ink discussing crosswind landing technique. I won’t belabor that topic again but suffice it to say that now’s the time that standard rudder/aileron coordination gets rightfully ignored. Instead, we use the rudder to align the longitudinal axis with the runway and we use the ailerons to prevent drift. Touching down first on the upwind main tire is the proper outcome that this achieves. If we let the airplane touchdown while drifting sideways and/or without the proper alignment then the airplane pays the price and the passengers readily feel the mistake. Yes, you can walk away from the landing and the airplane can even be flown again ... but perfect it isn’t!
My observation is that very often the slight jerk felt at touchdown is not due to left or right drift but instead is due to improper alignment. That is where the technique of “flying your seat” really pays a benefit. Make certain the rudder pedals have been used properly so as to put your seat’s longitudinal axis (remember the smudge mark?) smack dab on the far end of the runway. Ahhhh ... isn’t that nice? No jerk today.
How’s your ego? Is it strong enough that you are willing to sacrifice the quest for a squeaker today? I am sure you, like I, have been guilty of floating well past your touchdown aiming point, keeping a little power on, feeling for the runway, and hoping for that magical moment when it’s hard to tell the airplane is rolling and no longer flying. We’ve all done this ourselves and watched as other pilots strive for the squeaker. But you know what? Unless a good dose of luck is on your side, this technique merely makes the touchdown jolt occur farther down the runway than the aiming point. Right? In my opinion, a so-gentle-that-it’s-hardly-felt touchdown plays no part in the perfect landing criteria. Sure, on the 10,000-foot-long runway with the FBO at the far end and light winds, who can resist striving for a squeaker? I am sure that I can’t. But avoid making this a part of your normal technique. On speed, on centerline, no drift and perfectly aligned ... those are what constitute a perfect landing. At least that’s my opinion. KA
King Air expert Tom Clements has been flying and instructing in King Airs for over 46 years and is the author of “The King Air Book” and “The King Air Book II.” He is a Gold Seal CFI and has over 23,000 total hours with more than 15,000 in King Airs. For information on ordering his books, contact Tom direct at twcaz@msn.com. Tom is actively mentoring the instructors at King Air Academy in Phoenix.
If you have a question you’d like Tom to answer, please send it to Editor Kim Blonigen at editor@blonigen.net.
FEBRUARY 2021
KING AIR MAGAZINE • 23