Corkscrew landing

A corkscrew landing (also spiral landing)[1] is a method of landing an aircraft that is intended to minimize the risk of the aircraft being hit by anti-aircraft fire from the ground on its way to a destination airport. Instead of slow descent towards the airport, in a corkscrew landing the aircraft is positioned at high altitude above the airport, then descends rapidly in a spiral. The maneuver is typically performed by pilots of military aircraft to avoid surface-to-air missiles.

Rationale

The purpose of a corkscrew landing is to minimize the chance of an aircraft being struck by ground fire such as surface-to-air missiles as it lands.[2][3][4]

Technique

A corkscrew landing involves positioning the aircraft over the landing site at altitude, then descending in a steeply banked spiral path.[1][2]

History

The corkscrew landing maneuver has been reported as being performed in the Vietnam War.[5][6]

It has also become the standard method of landing by airlines flying into Baghdad International Airport after a DHL cargo aircraft was struck and nearly destroyed by a surface-to-air missile during takeoff in November 2003.

References
  1. "DHL Plane Struck by Missile in Baghdad". Deutsche Welle. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  2. Michael Dobbs (March 26, 2008). "Clinton Appears Weary Of Taking 'Sniper Fire'". The Washington Post. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  3. Torchia, Christopher (July 14, 2008). "A gentle descent to Baghdad's airport". USA Today. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  4. Margaret Warner (August 17, 2010). "Security in Baghdad a Deadly Serious Business". PBS NewsHour. PBS. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  5. Wright, Tony (24 November 2012). "In praise of flying beasts of burden". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
  6. Duffin, Allan T. (November 2006). "Landing in Baghdad". Air & Space magazine. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 23 December 2012.


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