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Old 12-09-2005 | 08:43 AM
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CraigG
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From: Sautee Nacoochee, GA
Default RE: BVM F-4 Owners

Keeping power on during the approach is the key to landing the BVM F-4. Nothing less than 1/2 to 3/4 in the final turn and mostly 3/4. Once you are rolled out on final, over the runway and about 10' or so, you can reduce power (assuming you are not slow). If flown this way the plane is solid and predictable and you can drive it right on to the runway (scale), or you can hold it off (close to the ground) for a smoother touchdown.

Here is how you tell if you are getting too slow; if the nose begins to rise as you attempt to maintain a normal glidepath and the ailerons quickly begin to loose effectiveness, you're too slow. If not corrected immediately, the plane will wallow off heading, plop onto the runway in a nose high attitude and most likely run off the side. The correct response is max power, reduce AOA (if able) and try to regain flying speed/control.

The above scenario has only happened to me a few times in nearly 200 landings but it is usually unexpected. As a result, I tend to fly my approaches a little fast and take advantage of whatever runway length is available.

Craig