VFR Descent - Cockpit Demo in a Piper Comanche w/ Landing at 4R9 Dauphin Island

Good landings start with a good descent for pattern entry on altitude and on airspeed. A 3 degree glideslope is a good starting point for adapting your own personal technique to any specific light plane.

It's also easy to estimate on the fly - simply subtract your current altitude from your desired altitude in thousands then multiple by 3 for the distance in nautical miles for your Top of Descent. For example, if you're cruising at 3000' and pattern altitude is 1000' then you need 2 x 3 = 6nm for your descent. Add or subtract a bit depending on winds and pattern entry and other factors as needed.

In this video, I demonstrate a close-to-idle glide at 3 degrees. With the power back to 12-13" the Comanche descends nicely and slows to a target airspeed of 125mph quickly after level off setting up nicely for landing. This is a great technique for new simulator pilots of the A2A Comanche to use. I also show how to setup a track offset vertical waypoint in the Garmin GTN series navigator units.

I make a left pattern landing into 4R9 Dauphin Island - one of our favorite airports. Initially intending a touch and go, I opt for a full stop instead.

Have a favorite method for your plane? Let me know in the comments.

In a future video: While shock cooling may not be a large risk in the Lycoming O-540 engine, most (including myself) prefer to keep more power on in descents. In the Comanche this means using closer to a 5x multiplier for glide distance given both the faster descent speed and need for a bit more distance to slow down at Bottom of Descent.

Blog: https://planeplaces.com

Aircraft:
1959 Piper Comanche 250
Lycoming O-540 engine 250HP
Garmin GTN 650, Dual G5, Garmin 345
JPI EDM-830
Trio Autopilot
Garmin Pilot App

0:00 Intro
2:45 Setting up a track offset vertical waypoint Garmin 650
4:20 Takoff
4:47 Cruise at 4,500'
7:37 Top of Descent
10:00 1000' to go
11:00 Bottom of Descent
12:45 Downwind Entry
14:00 Base Turn
14:55 Final Turn & Landing
16:40 Recap