Technique: Glassy water landings

Private Pilot Airman Certification Standard

Knowledge: The applicant demonstrates understanding of when and why glassy water techniques are used, how a glassy water approach and landing is executed, landing distance, stabilized approach, energy management, wind conditions and effects, density altitude, and emergency procedures during approach and landing.

Risk Management: The applicant demonstrates the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks, encompassing performing a go-around/rejected landing; low-altitude stall/spin; wind shear; tailwind; wake turbulence; task management; low-altitude maneuvering; collision avoidance, scanning, and obstacle and wire strike avoidance; failure to follow the right-of-way rules; obstacles on approach and landing paths; failure to adhere to sterile cockpit requirement; and failure to confirm your gear position in an amphibious aircraft.

Skills: The applicant demonstrates the ability to scan the landing waterway/area for possible obstructions for landing; consider the wind conditions, water depth, hazards, surrounding terrain, and other watercraft; consider the wind conditions, landing surface, and obstructions to select the most suitable approach path and touchdown area; establish the recommended approach and landing configuration and airspeed, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required; maintain a stabilized approach and the recommended approach airspeed, plus 10 and minus 5 knots, and maintain a touchdown pitch attitude and descent rate from the last altitude reference until touchdown or as recommended by aircraft manufacturer to a safe maneuvering altitude; make smooth, timely, and correct power and control adjustments to maintain proper pitch attitude and rate of descent to touchdown; contact the water in the proper pitch attitude, and slow to idle taxi speed; maintain crosswind correction and directional control throughout the approach and landing sequence, as required; and complete the appropriate checklist.