RJ Question

[Sierra-Hotel]

I know this is a stupid question but I'm gonna ask this anyway....Watching CRJs land is pretty interesting...it looks like they kinda dive down to the runway while the ERJ tends come in at a pretty flat attitude. Can anyone explain why.....I heard the CRJ lands like that because they don't have any slats but neither does the ERJ.

 

[Brother Francis]

That's just the deck angle that results from the AOA required to hold target approach speed.

The aerodynamicists and engineers could provide the math.

 

[B737G]

I believe the deck angle required to hold target speed is a result of not having leading edge devices on the 50 seater.

 

[abenaki]

B737G is correct....the lack of leading edge devices on the CRJ results in the nose-down approach angle that you have observed.......The lack of those devices also makes for some relatively high ref speeds. The Citation X that I'm flying now averages about 20+ knots slower ref than the CRJ that I flew at Comair. Going into MDW in the CRJ in the winter with a high ref, some snow blowing around and less than perfect braking conditions made for an elevated pucker factor of at least some degree.....kinda one of those plant it and park it landings......Ha!

 

[DoinTime]

Actually the reason for the negative deck angle on approach is due to the low cockpit ceiling. With such a low ceiling the pilot is forced to maneuver his chair into the lowest position possible to avoid bumping his head on the roof. Engineers realized this in the final testing phases and reengineered the wing to stall at a higher speed therefor requiring faster ref speeds and a negative deck angle on approach. This deck angle allows the pilot to see the runway over the glareshield and make a safe landing. Pretty simple if you ask me.

 

[CesnaCaptn]

ERJ

So...Why doens't the ERJ land with a nose down attitude? It doesn't have slats either does it?

 

[DoinTime]

Because it has a higher cockpit ceiling....DUHHH

 

[CF34-3B1]

Re: ERJ

So...Why doens't the ERJ land with a nose down attitude? It doesn't have slats either does it?

It's not just a questions of slats, but a combination of lots of different characteristics of the wing. Wing loading, L/D ratio, etc etc. As Brother F said, the slide rule guys could doubtless do a better job giving you the exact reason and numbers.

But the real reason (To quote SouthPark):

BLAME CANADA!