Flight Instructor for Airplane Category › VII. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds › Task J. Glassy Water Approach and Landing (ASES, AMES)

AI.VII.J.S4

Skill

Select a proper approach and landing path considering the landing surface, visual attitude references, water depth, and collision hazards.

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Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 6-6
LANDING › GLASSY WATER LANDING
Another technique is to make the final approach over land, crossing the shoreline at the lowest possible safe altitude so that a reliable height reference is maintained to within a few feet of the water surface. When adequate visual references ... available, make glassy water landings by establishing a stable descent in the landing attitude at a rate that will provide a positive, but not excessive, contact with the water. Recognize the need for this type of landing in ample time…
Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 7-7
LANDINGS
LANDINGS Landing a skiplane is easy compared to landing with wheels; however, for off-airport landings, extra precautions are necessary. Be careful in choosing a landing site. Before landing, evaluate the site to be sure a safe departure will ... possible. Upon arriving at a prospective landing site, a pass should be made over the landing area to determine landing direction, and to determine if a safe approach and landing can be completed. A trial landing should be accomplished…
Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 6-8
LANDING › EMERGENCY LANDING
AROUND Whenever landing conditions are not satisfactory, execute a go-around. Potential conflicts with other aircraft, surface vessels or swimmers in the landing area, recognition of a hazard on the water, wind shear, wake turbulence, water surface conditions, mechanical failure ... unstabilized landing approach are a few of the reasons to discontinue a landing attempt. Climb to a safe altitude while executing the go-around checklist, then evaluate the situation, and make another approach under more favorable conditions. Remember that…
Seaplane, Skiplane, and Float/Ski Equipped Helicopter Operations Handbook p. 6-7
LANDING › ROUGH WATER LANDING
pilot can be certain that the landing configuration and 150 f.p.m. descent will be established well above the water’s surface, starting the final glide nearer the surface shortens the descent time and overall landing length. This technique usually produces ... safe, comfortable landing, but the long, shallow glide consumes considerable landing distance. Be certain there is sufficient room for the glide, touchdown, and water run. ROUGH WATER LANDING Rough is a very subjective and relative term. Water conditions that cause…