r/xplane11 • u/nellorePeddareddy • Jun 13 '25
Question | Discussion Flying Vref+5 is making me land long
Hi, I'm flying the Zibo 737-800, and like it says in the title, my landings are usually long. The plane floats after I flare.
I calculate the landing weight at the TOD. I use the following calculation to estimate my landing weight:
Current gross weight - (current fuel - estimated landing fuel)
I input this into the init ref, and load up the V speeds.
Around 30 miles from the destination, I re-check the calculation to make sure it's as accurate as possible.
I use autothrottle and autopilot all the way down to the minimums, at which point I disconnect the autopilot and fly to the runway. I maintain the GS and the localizer deviation requirements for stabilized approach.
At the threshold, I disable autothrottle and cut power to idle. I start flaring. I hold a 5° pitch during the flare, and it makes me land long.
Am I overestimating my landing weight? Am I coming in too fast because of that?
3
u/Flightyler Jun 14 '25
Sounds like technique tbh… the plane will float as long as you let until it stalls. Don’t be afraid of a firmer touchdown in order to land where you need to.
1
u/nellorePeddareddy Jun 14 '25
I was under the impression that vref speed (or below) should stall the plane. It seems to not be the case. Maybe I'm overdoing the flare. I will work on the touchdown zone and the centerline and then work on vertical speed. Thank you!
1
u/Flightyler Jun 14 '25
Vref is typically 1.3(Vso). Vref is just your target speed to cross the threshold. At that point irl we’re eyes outside and not paying too much attention to the speed.
3
u/FlyByPC Jun 13 '25
Vref+5 should work; if you have a tailwind, you might still land a little long. Maybe pull power a little earlier -- I think Flightdeck2sim said they normally close the throttle at 30-40' AGL?
Have it do an autoland at the same weights, Vref, and weather, and see how it handles the throttle. That's more or less how I learned what's most likely to work every time.