American Airlines Virtual

From; the desk of the Training department at AAV

Subject; TouchDown Rates

Looking at the latest FSACARS filed flights by you pilots I have seen a large variance in the touchdown rates. ( I can see all of 'em)

Now, since all of us are employed by the AAV and use the AAV(L) equipment, I need to caution some of you that the continued practice of "slamming" the planes onto the tarmac will have to cease. It is getting expensive to replace the parts of the aircraft which are being damaged by this exercise.

I have listed the latest, from best to worse rates as seen on your FSACARS reports. I am not listing the pilots.... You know whom you are.

Rate -11 ft/min Speed: 125 Knots -- the best I have seen

Rate -1463 ft/min Speed: 171 Knots -- filed today 6-20-2012

Rate -20419 ft/min Speed: 134 -- This I believe had to be a total crash landing. Earlier this month.

The average rate is about -340 ft/min.

Our grading criteria;
"During a checkride we have automatic failures. One is if the landing vertical speed exceeds -500 fp/m rate at touchdown. We feel that anything over this causes severe damage to the aircraft and/or pax and crew."

Submited with a smile.

Hehehe... Great post Wayne. Now you know why I don't submit via ACARS... (joking, I've just always had a hard time with it working right, errors, etc.)

It wasn't me!!! I didn't do it this time!!! Jeff is the famous one in ORD. I went 50% over budget one year replacing all his struts.

I'm pretty sure that best rate is me. I'm awesome! HAHA Just kidding. But any rate, I think this should be a monthly update. Post the three best touchdown rates for the month. Yes I'm sure it's more work for you, but I love the idea. And yes...it's all about me.

At Skywest on occasion due to a variety of reasons we may have to return to our departure airport shortly after takeoff and initiate a landing. Sometime the aircraft due to fuel is over the maximum certified landing weight of the airplane. In most cases as long as our vertical speed (VS) is at 400ft per min or less the aircraft is not required to be inspected. From my experience flying the CRJ anything under 400fpm is comfortable and normal. Under 100fpm is very rare but almost unnoticeable transition from air to tarmac. You get above 700fpm and you are feeling it