The Airbus Landing Technique

Three Key Phases for a Successful Touchdown

Hey everyone and welcome back to this A320 Knowledge deep dive.

While the standard FCTM Airbus landing technique remains unchanged, Airbus has provided additional guidance for pilots to refine their approach. This article delves deep into the three phases of the Airbus A320 landing procedure, offering you actionable insights and tips to enhance your landing skills and safety.

Let’s dive right in.

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Insights at a Glance

• Phase 1 focuses on maintaining the published flight path profile using visual and instrument cues.

• Phase 2 emphasizes keeping a consistent visual Flight Path Angle (FPA) for a stable approach to the flare.

• Phase 3 involves a smooth and controlled flare to reduce closure rate and ensure a centered touchdown.

• Rapid scanning and avoiding fixation on any one instrument are critical for a stable approach.

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Introduction: The 3 Phase Landing

For pilots flying the Airbus A320, understanding and executing the landing procedure accurately is essential for passenger safety and the longevity of the aircraft. While the basic landing technique from the FCTM has remained unchanged, Airbus’ recent guidance offers an even more structured and nuanced approach to landing.

The approach can be broken down into three phases—each with its own set of requirements and skills. This guide will help you navigate each phase with a greater understanding of the principles and techniques involved.

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Phase 1: Visualizing the Path to the Runway

The first phase begins as soon as the pilot establishes a visual reference of the runway. At this point, the goal is to maintain the published flight profile by using both visual and instrument cues to stay on track. Here’s how it’s done:

Key Goals in Phase 1

• Maintain the Published Profile: The pilot’s primary task is to adhere to the flight path outlined in the flight management system. This involves adjusting the aircraft’s angle and trajectory in response to real-time changes, ensuring that the descent remains stable.

• Learn and Use Visual Cues: Pilots are trained to identify and use visual cues to judge the correct flight path angle. These cues could include the runway's appearance, the angle of approach, or the PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) lights.

Practical Tips for Phase 1

• Scan Efficiently: Rapid scanning is key in this phase. Pilots must constantly monitor both visual cues and instruments to detect any deviations from the planned path as soon as they arise.

• Key Items to Scan:

  • Visual: PAPI lights, runway aspect, and the extended centerline.

  • Instrumental: Flight Directors, the “bird”, vertical speed, airspeed, glide slope, localizer, and N1.

• Correct Deviations Promptly: If any deviations are detected, they should be corrected immediately to return the aircraft to the desired profile.

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Phase 2: Refining the Approach

Phase 2 begins once the pilot selects and maintains the visual flight path angle. This phase is all about fine-tuning the approach to ensure a smooth transition into the flare—where the aircraft is prepared for landing. Here’s a closer look:

Key Goals in Phase 2

• Maintain a Constant Flight Path Angle: The goal is to maintain the same visual approach angle learned in Phase 1. This consistent trajectory ensures a stable path toward the runway and prepares the aircraft for a smooth flare.

• Avoid Over-Reliance on Instruments: It’s crucial to avoid relying on the glide slope, Flight Directors, or PAPIs at this stage. Chasing these instruments can destabilize the flight path and distract from the visual cues necessary for a smooth landing.

• Maintain Awareness of the Airspeed: Monitoring the indicated airspeed (IAS) is critical during this phase to ensure the aircraft stays within the optimal speed range.

Practical Tips for Phase 2

• Keep a Rapid Scan Rate: A quick scan of all relevant instruments helps ensure the correct approach angle is maintained without fixating on any one piece of information.

• Visual Aids:

  • Aiming Point: Use an appropriate aiming point within the touch-down zone to guide the aircraft and maintain a constant FPA towards that point.

  • The Bird: This is a helpful reference to ensure the aircraft’s trajectory remains on course and provides a useful reference to the aircraft’s FPA.

  • Vertical Speed Indicator (VSI): This instrument helps gauge the rate of descent and ensures that you are descending at an appropriate rate.

Transitioning to the Flare

At approximately 50 feet above the ground, the pilot’s gaze should shift beyond the aiming point to begin recognizing changes in the descent rate and attitude. This transition prevents fixation on the aiming point and allows the pilot to prepare for the final flare manoeuvre.

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Phase 3: The Flare and Touchdown