How to Land a Cessna 172

Flying offers a sense of freedom which seems impossible to copy on firm ground. Becoming a pilot requires skills in flying different types of aviation vehicles, including smaller planes. Flying a Cessna 172 is definitely a flying experience. Look below to see how to land a Cessna 172. The guidelines are in no way a replacement for actual pilot training and should be viewed as a reference rather than professional flying instructions. A pilot licensed is required to fly a plane.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cessna
• Pilot's license

1. Work through the pre-land checklist as you radio the destination airport's control tower. Give the tower your name, company and tail number. State your current altitude, present location and any additional information significant for your landing and follow closely any directions you receive from the tower.

2. Wait until you receive clearance to land at the airport before beginning your descent. 500 feet-per-minute is normal when you begin at a 45-degree angle with a pattern altitude of approximately 1,200 feet.

3. Turn downwind when the plane is approximately a quarter of a mile away from the runway. The plane should be traveling at an approximate speed of 80 knots.

4. Reduce power to approximately 1,500 rpms and extend the landing flaps 10 degrees as you lower the nose after spotting the numbers on the runway. Be sure to drop speed carefully approximately 5 knots as you descend.

5. Apply 10 more degrees of landing flap as you reduce speed to 70 knots as you turn so that the plane is perpendicular to the quickly approaching runway. Be aware of other approaching traffic.

6. Stabilize your approach as you make your final turn attempting to hit the runway at approximately 60 knots. This is a good time to extend the flaps another 10 degrees. Keep the plane aligned by manipulating the rudder pedals.

7. Raise the nose slightly as your reduce power a few feet from the landing and apply the brakes to bring you to the ground. Continue to reduce power as the plane comes to a stop.

[pantera1973]

on 10/13/2009 Sounds like a good way to get someone killed. you should NEVER "Keep the plane aligned by manipulating the rudder pedals." as you are just skidding the aircraft around instead of making coordinated control inputs. Look up the NTSB accident reports and see how many people have died from cross control stalls on final approach. BTW,I'm a commercial pilot and an FAA Certified Flight Instructor in Single and Multi-engine aircraft with 20 years experience.