Precautionary Search &

Side Slip

Sortie 131

(1 hour & 30min)

 Aim

To conduct a Precautionary Search to assess a field for

the possibility of a landing.

Conduct a side slip

 Objectives
To correctly recall reasons why a precautionary search and landing
would need to be carried out.

To calculate the required length for a potential landing strip.

To recall the precautionary search and landing procedure.

To recall how to side slip.

 Revision
FIELD SELECTION

Wind Preferable to land into wind

Size / Shape In relation to wind - must be long enough to
land safely. The bigger the better
Surface Short dry grass is best
Slope Uphill is best
Surroundings Power lines, houses, trees in under/overshoot
Situation Close to Help
 Considerations
Reasons why? Discuss…

IF BAD WEATHER Slow down (slow gives more

time)

SUITABLE FIELD Selection Criteria

WIND ASSESSMENT Landing direction?

PASSENGER BRIEF Inform, Instruct AND Reassure!

 Calculating the distance
Fly a constant airspeed – preferably what you would fly the
approach at.

GS divided by 2 x Seconds = Length in Meters

80kts/2 = 40 GS x 10sec = 400m
80Kts = 40m/sec
Therefore 20 Seconds should be of sufficient length for a
C172 to get in and out of Safely.
 Air Exercise
Choose a suitable field.

Overfly at 500ft AGL or 100ft lower than the

cloud, which ever is lower.

Passengers,
Slow due
to 80kts - 10° Flapto the low cloud we are going to land in that field,
Please remain calm, I will fly over the field 2 times and land on the
Determine Upwind, Crosswind and
3 pass,
rd
Downwind. SetifHDG
it isbug
suitable. Please remove any sharp objects and
to field direction.
place them in the glove box or under the seat in front of you. Once
I havesuitable
Choose landed please exit the aircraft the same way you got in and
Aimpoint.
meet me 100m behind the aircraft.
Conduct Passenger Brief if have time.
 Air Exercise

1st Inspection run 1 6

1. Join downwind 500’ AGL. Perspective of runway

should similar to a normal circuit.
2. Level turn on to Base 5
3. Ensure safe slow cruise at 80kts (10° Flap)
4. Check Heading Bug to field direction
Time strip length using TMR/REF timer.
5. Check 5 S’s for a suitable field ~ Decide if to
continue with 2nd run or chose new field 2 4
6. Remain at 500’ AGL or 100ft below cloud
3
 Air Exercise

2nd Inspection Run

1. Conduct PAN PAN call
PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN
2. Level base turn. The base leg will be shorter PAN,
1 YGZ, YGZ, YGZ, Go 6
around
Is conducting
than a Precautionary
normal, may end doing an oval circuit. Search and Landing due
to on
3. Once lowfinalcloud in200ft
descend to a field approximately 10nm West of
AGL. Maintain

Time length
80kts, 10° Flap.
Brookton, 2 PoB, will call again on the ground. 5
4. Check Suitability ~ mainly surface and
under/overshoot areas
6. Decision ~ If suitable to land then climb as high
as possible or 500’ AGL or depart.
During Go around, do not change aircraft 4
configuration. Add full power and attitude for
80kts.
3
2
 Air Exercise

APPROACH AND LANDING

1.Pre landing checks 1
2.Level turn on to base
3.Slow aircraft to 70kt and lower flap 20°.
4.Lower flap 30° and start descent on final.
5.Reduce speed to 62kt
6.Conduct short field landing
Make go around decision early 6

2 4
3
 Practice Precautionary Search
When practicing Precautionary Searches, unless at an
aerodrome, we must NOT descend below 500ft AGL.
(CAR 157)

In Jandakot Training Area, ground level is approximately

100ft AMSL.
A Practice Precautionary Search is to be conducted at
1100ft, with the 2nd pass at 800ft and the 3rd pass
(simulating landing) followed by a go around not lower
than 600ft.
 Side Slipping

A side slip will be demonstrated in the Training

Area, and then practiced in the circuit.

It will be utilised to significantly increase the ROD,

for example to correct a flapless approach that is
initially too high, 800ft+ on final.

Power can be used if you become too low.

 Exercise

1. Precautionary Search and landing

2. Side Slip
3. Practice Forced Landing
 Threat and Error Management
Threat Pilot Illness
Response If not well, DO NOT FLY
Outcome You and your passengers not placed in dangerous
situation

Error Flight into adverse weather

Response Better planning or early decision to turn back
Outcome Safety not compromised as aircraft is maintained in VMC

Undesired Aircraft State Low fuel state

Response Proper pre-flight checks and planning
Outcome Aircraft has sufficient fuel for flight
 Airmanship
AVOID THE CAUSES
LOOKOUT: Obstacles, cloud, terrain
Command decision making
Disorientation: Landing illusions, rain
Low level flying: Optical illusions - Slipping and skidding in turns)
If in doubt GO AROUND!

If getting on the ground quickly is of prime importance –

procedure can be achieved using
only 1 run to assess field