Just a technique for slowing down...if you don't need to dirty up fast, bring the thrust to idle slowly and keep the aircraft clean all the way down to maneuvering speed for your weight, then add one notch of flaps (don't do the Flaps 8, Flaps 20 deal in the CRJ, for example). Again, slow the aircraft without addt'l flaps down to the new maneuvering speed. Add power slowly and consistently as needed once you are dirty and it makes for an efficient/smooth ride.

If you've gotta slow down and get down, however, all bets are off

 

Depends...are you high and/or anticipate getting slam dunked?

 

If ATC is planning on slam-dunking you, being clean at 200 doesn't really matter much anyway. It takes just a few seconds to go to Flaps 20, Gear-down and boards out. If that's not drag, I don't know what is!

 

Not when you are trying to pad your scheduled block for the month without working any more days.

 

CFI,

I "get" your post, really I do. At my current gig, I see a lot of what you're talking about and at other places also.

My favorite is the use of the speedbrakes on the MD11. Some folks like to go from the full stowed position to full deflection when doing 350 knots. The time that bent me the most was when I was sitting on the crapper and Buck Rogers up front yanked the speedbrakes to full deflection at high speed. I just about fell off the comode and into the aisle behind the cockpit...not a pretty sight for all parties.

In the end, I ask myself, is this pilot going to get me violated, bend metal or injure my amazingly good looks, or win me a free trip to the Chief Pilot's office to sit on the side of the oak desk without an ash tray ? If not, then just monitor their airshow, tactfully point out to them you've never seen the airplane flown with that much gusto and then have a beer at the end of your trip.

I think you will it will help you fly with situationally-challenged airman a lot easier.

Tailwinds,

FF

 

Ahhh the beauty of the Whale, slow down whenever you want and no one says a word. I start to slow at a minimum of 13 miles out mostly due to SOP requiring no level segments if we can help it.

I hear ya about the float on the can. The 744 has a pretty big pitching moment if you go into the detent while fast.

 

I heard a mesa FA nonreving on a comair flight "I swear our 145's are SO much faster than Comairs CRJ's" haha block or better, or block..... id ride the pole too if I was only getting paid block....... then I had a Mesa instructor say to me "WAIT you get block or BETTER?" ohh so u like flying out of JFK

 

FF,

This post almost made my coffee shoot out my nose!
Thank you for starting my day off right!

 

How about the guy who on the last leg only talks about his commute and how he doesn't know if he has enough time to make it to the gate. Then proceeds to fly the visual at the slowest possible speed(tprop)(100knots or so). Then all the rj's start to close in behind you and start asking for the parallel runway. The tower gives them the parallel runway and they just about touchdown the same time as us. Actually I think the only reason they don't beat us is because they are told not to pass us. We eventually get to the gate and he mumbles something like it’s my fault we are late and he isn't going to make it.