If a 747 lands with a descent rate of 500-1000 fpm, will it bounce off or simply crash on the runway?
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kuyakev
ANSWERS: 1
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A potentially dangerous act, landing with too great a descent rate can result in any one of a list of problems. If your only over slightly, you will probably bounce, which kills airspeed and lift. If you do not immediately apply power and nose up pitch, you will bounce a second time even harder, potentially damaging the aircraft. If you landed with greater than 1000 fpm crash or serious damage is inevitable. The descent rate is slowed down considerably, usually to about 200 FPM, as the plane reaches the threshold of the runway. This is one of the main reasons that a nose up pitch is utilized. Do note that in crosswind landings or landings during inclement conditions, pilots often use a little extra control input to firmly plant the aircraft on the runway. What passengers perceive as a bounce is usually just a little bit of a push on the controls to ensure a safe landing.
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