Glassy water landing

Glassy water (or unbroken snow for a skiplane), under certain surface and light conditions: no usable visual reference, altitude practically impossible to judge by eye. Fixed procedure replaces judgement (TC AIM AIR 2.11.4).

Approach:

• Power-assisted; needs considerably more space than a normal landing.
• Fly close and parallel to shoreline.
• Judge height from shoreline or surface objects (weeds, weed beds).

Descent:

• Descend to 200 ft, or 300 to 400 ft where no visual aids for judging height.
• Set slightly nose-high attitude.
• Adjust power: minimum rate of descent at recommended approach speed until contact.
• Do not "feel for the surface."

At contact:

• Ease throttle off gently; hold back pressure to keep nose high (stops floats digging in as aircraft settles).
• Trim beforehand: no slip or skid at contact.

Practise until second nature.

Trap: "feeling for the surface" with small throttle changes near contact; correct is a fixed nose-high, minimum-rate-of-descent arrival.

Practice