Team Apache

Landing tips from Bryan Walker, AH-64 pilot

Sgt. McNabbit suggests you hover over the landing site then descend vertically but I couldn't see where I was landing!

Brian Walker was lead consultant on Team Apache and a 5 year Veteran Apache pilot. He suggested this technique:

Line up on the intended landing zone (LZ ) from a good distance, say 1000 metres
Establish a 300 - 500 fpm descent
Airspeed 20 knots, Alt 100 feet
Lower collective and ease back on the stick
As your forward speed approaches zero, adjust collective to hover at 20 feet
Terminate the approach at a 6' hover
Lower the collective to land gently at the intended spot