No-Power Approach
Big Idea
A glide approach means landing with the engine at idle — you manage energy with pitch and flaps only.
Fun Fact
Glider pilots do this on every single flight — they never have an engine! They call it "dead stick landing."
What You Will Learn
- Start abeam the numbers on downwind at pattern altitude
- Pull power to idle
- Pitch for best glide speed (65 knots)
- Use flaps to control your descent rate
Simulator Steps
- On downwind, abeam the numbers, pull power to IDLE
- Pitch for 65 knots (best glide speed)
- Turn base when the runway is about 45 degrees behind your wing
- Add flaps as needed to steepen your descent
- Turn final — aim for the numbers
What You Learned
- Power to idle, pitch for 65 knots
- Use flaps to control descent
- This is pure energy management