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 as it approaches to land at 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.

Technique

A corkscrew landing involves positioning the aircraft over the landing site at altitude, then descending in a steeply banked spiral path.^[1][2] To do this the pilot of the aircraft banks the aircraft from the horizontal and begins a fast descent. Once closer to the airfield, the pilot will slowly level off and begin descent into the runway.^[3]

History

The corkscrew landing maneuver has been reported as being performed in the Vietnam War.^[4][5]

It also became 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. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
3. "Corkscrew Landings - The American Spectator | USA News and Politics The American Spectator | USA News and Politics". The American Spectator | USA News and Politics. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
4. Wright, Tony (24 November 2012). "In praise of flying beasts of burden". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
5. Duffin, Allan T. (November 2006). "Landing in Baghdad". Air & Space magazine. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 23 December 2012.

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