Landing angle

[Customizer171]

Landing angle is mentioned in the info tab to many of the aircrafts, 12°, 13,5° etc.

How do I see what angle I have?

Is there an instrument for this or what is the trick?

Same thing when starting a bomb run, it's often stipulate a certain dive angle.

Curious to find out more how this can be achieved.

[czech693]

That's really a seat of the pants thing since you don't have a F-16 HUD.  Those landing angle numbers refer to the decent angle and you don't have an instrument to tell you that like a modern HUD.

 

The secret is how does the runway look in perspective, and that's learned by practice.  There's probably some Requiem videos showing that (also some written training material with pictures).  If it looks short and fat you're too high, if it looks narrow and long you're too low.  Luckily none of the sim airfields have a steep grade which in RL throws your perspective off as the memorize picture of the runway looks wrong and you correct and find yourself in trouble (I'm thinking of the Sedona and Superior Arizona airports).

 

Your attitude indicator will show you your pitch angle (or dive angle) relative to level.  Many of the German aircraft have these angle markings on the side of the canopy (as does the F-86 in DCS).  You line one up with the horizon to get the desired angle  HvB has very well written manual on ground attack which you can find off this forum.

Edited July 30, 2023 by czech693

[PB0_Roll]

Dive angle is indicated on the window of german dive bombers. For fighter bombers, go have a look at requiem's tutorials on YT  https://www.youtube.com/@Requiem10NS

 

Landing angle is purely visual. Prior to take off, take a note of where your engine cowling meets the horizon. When you'll flare, put yourself in the same attitude (or slightly flatter) and let your kite kis the ground. Doesn't work for nose wheeled aircraft, but those are easier to land anyway.

 

 

[AndyJWest]

I'd assumed that the 'landing angle' given in the specification was the optimum angle of attack on landing approach. The Tempest spec for example gives a 'landing angle of 11.6°. Compare that to  'Stall angle of attack in landing configuration 13.7°' also in the spec - a couple of degrees margin. This makes more sense than an 11.6° approach angle, which would be far to steep. I'd be surprised if you could actually achieve an engine-on stabilised approach at a 1-in-5 angle in a Tempest.

 

In practice, a recommended AoA is of little more use in a typical WW2 aircraft than a recommended approach angle, since you have no means to measure either. Instead, you have to rely on feel (e.g. for buffeting etc), along with having a good idea of what the optimum speed will be - e.g. 'stall speed' plus a margin for safety. This is only an approximation though since the optimum speed varies with aircraft weight.

 

[czech693]

See Requim's #7 How to Land an Airplane.  He covers the way the runway looks from different approach heights.

 

 

[czech693]

This is a good video also:

 

 

[czech693]

I actually stated that information backwards.  And it's in the second video and not the first.

[69th_Mobile_BBQ]

I find that for the P-51 trimming 100% tail heavy, full flaps, really helps nail smooth 3-point landings.