Approach speeds? Question for medium-iron drivers

[Bob Turner]

Today a twin was asked to slow down. He said ok, but couldn't go below 120 knots.

Two aircraft in front of him had to go around, and I don't quite know where or with whom, but there was an incipient conflict that caught the excellent controller's attention.

I thought it was a Cessna 421, but it couldn't be, because it lists a Vref of 76 knots. As I recall, a light 737-200 had a Vref of around 113 kts.

It could have been a jet - I was on ground control by the time he touched down, What kind of medium twin requires 120 kts to the flare?

 

[darrell whitley]

Gotta be more to the story... BTW I never flew a light or heavy twin that had a Vref of 120. Maybe blue line on takeoff, I can't remember...

 

[Tangogawd]

Its been a long time, but I vaguely remember 90-110 knot approach speeds with small twins..... even though they could fly slower.

the G-IV I fly now is 135ish when light, but its got a BIG wing

Be interesting to know the rest of the story.

 

[Bob Turner]

Yeah - I don't have much more than that. One of the locals says a 421 cannot approach slower than 120, and touches down around 100. Hard to believe.

The thing is, two aircraft in front of this one had to go around. Our controllers are the very best, but my ears perked up on this one. I personally would have had the faster aircraft enter upwind at 1500 agl and spaced him accordingly.

 

[darrell whitley]

I used to fly a 421A & C model. I don’t remember any limitation like that, on approach speeds.