Airmanship

Chapter 16.7

Discipline in the Cockpit under Great Pressure

A nervous disposition in a distress situation only brings disadvantages and additional difficulties:

• the aircraft can only be stabilized with difficulty at the required speed

• important manipulations, procedures and CHECKS will be executed badly or totally forgotten.

Preparing yourself mentally allows you to act in a more composed manner. The most important action is to use the CHECKLIST FOR ABNORMAL SITUATIONS AND EMERGENCIES and choose a landing surface.

Acting thoughtfully brings the following benefits:

• the remaining height is used to glide as far as possible.

• the engine may be restarted and a planned emergency landing becomes obsolete.

• a thoughtful managed approach and a consciously controlled landing allow for a touchdown without damage.

• the evacuation of the airplane can be done in an orderly manner.

Fly to the Ground - «bring the wheels to the ground!»

The airplane must be actively controlled until it reaches the ground. As long as it is in flight it must not skid nor stall. When touch down occurs, avoid collision with obstacles by means of steering with your feet and brakes.