Uploaded July 2023 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Stabilized Approaches for RC Pilots
In this video I will discuss the importance of stabilized approaches for RC pilots. A stabilized approach is standard procedure for transport aircraft, both propeller driven and turbine. The concept of a stabilized approach is to fly a constant glide path on final to a pre-determined touchdown point on the runway. By flying a stabilized approach the danger of a mishap on the runway from landing long or at a higher speed is greatly minimized. Each company will have their own procedures to achieve a stabilized approach.
The concept of a stabilized approach is very important for RC model aircraft, especially as you move into heavier and faster, to include those with flaps and retractable landing gear.
A key tenet of a stabilized approach is the concept of a go-around. Any time the approach is not stabilized, simply execute a go-around and line up for another approach. The idea is to prevent an unsafe situation, not fix it as things go wrong.
Videos:
P-39:
youtu.be/J1Pkeypssj8
Viper:
youtu.be/zJf2Qam87BE
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Overview
01:07 - Stabilized approach definition
02:48 - Stabilized approach concept
03:58 - Stabilized approach procedures
05:29 - Why fly a stabilized approach?
07:10 - Go-around discussion
08:21 - Stabilized approach examples
10:00 - Stabilized approach and RC airplanes
Stabilized Approaches for RC Pilots
In this video I will discuss the importance of stabilized approaches for RC pilots. A stabilized approach is standard procedure for transport aircraft, both propeller driven and turbine. The concept of a stabilized approach is to fly a constant glide path on final to a pre-determined touchdown point on the runway. By flying a stabilized approach the danger of a mishap on the runway from landing long or at a higher speed is greatly minimized. Each company will have their own procedures to achieve a stabilized approach.
The concept of a stabilized approach is very important for RC model aircraft, especially as you move into heavier and faster, to include those with flaps and retractable landing gear.
A key tenet of a stabilized approach is the concept of a go-around. Any time the approach is not stabilized, simply execute a go-around and line up for another approach. The idea is to prevent an unsafe situation, not fix it as things go wrong.
Videos:
P-39:
youtu.be/J1Pkeypssj8
Viper:
youtu.be/zJf2Qam87BE
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Overview
01:07 - Stabilized approach definition
02:48 - Stabilized approach concept
03:58 - Stabilized approach procedures
05:29 - Why fly a stabilized approach?
07:10 - Go-around discussion
08:21 - Stabilized approach examples
10:00 - Stabilized approach and RC airplanes
