Pilot operating characteristics analysis of long landing based on flight QAR data

Abstract

Long landing events make up the largest percentage of all exceedance incidents and multiply the risk of runway excursions in landing phase. For the aim of exploring operating factors causing long landing, this study examined the pilot operating characteristics of long landing events by the methods of variance analysis, regression modeling and flare operation analysis based on flight QAR data. Finally it concluded that flare is the most critical operation in landing, which determining the touchdown distance by two key factors of flare time and flare height. Both of the control column and throttle operation plays an important role in the flare process. Pilots' faster pulling up columns and softer throttle closing is probably helpful for a successful flare. In addition, pilots need to control the aircraft to an appropriate groundspeed and descent rate before descending to the flare initial point. The conclusions are expected to be applied into practice to prevent the happening of long landing events. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.