Task IV.J
Glassy Water Approach and Landing
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with glassy water approach and landing.
Note: If a glassy water condition does not exist, the applicant must be evaluated by simulating the Task.
References: AIM; FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-23, FAA-H-8083-25; POH/AFM
Study Notes
Because your eyes lie. A mirror surface gives no texture for depth perception — pilots flare 20 feet in the air or fly straight into the water at speed, and the accident record shows experienced pilots doing both. The surface may also reflect sky and clouds so convincingly that there's no visible surface at all. The fix is a complete change of method: stop judging height visually and fly a known attitude with a known descent rate all the way to touchdown (Seaplane Handbook FAA-H-8083-23 ch 8).
Any time I can't reliably judge height above the surface:
- True glassy calm
- Night water landings where permitted and practical
- Hazy sun-glare conditions
- Big open water without shoreline references
The cost is a longer, shallower, power-on approach that uses more distance — so the decision also depends on having enough room.
- Fly a normal pattern to the last visual reference — typically the shoreline or an object at the water's edge, since height judgment is still trustworthy over textured terrain.
- Crossing that final reference at a couple hundred feet, set the airplane up completely: landing configuration, the POH-recommended nose-up landing attitude, and power adjusted for roughly a 150 fpm descent (no more than about 200).
- Then hold that attitude and descent rate with the instruments and trim and simply wait — no flare, no visual height judgment — until the airplane flies onto the water.
- On touchdown: throttle idle, stick back as the airplane comes off the step (FAA-H-8083-23 ch 8).
A flare requires knowing your height, and over glass you don't. The constant nose-up attitude guarantees the floats contact water at the correct pitch no matter when touchdown comes, and the shallow 150 fpm rate makes the arrival gentle whether it happens now or ten seconds from now. Power is what makes the descent rate controllable and shallow — a power-off glassy approach arrives too fast and too steep to survive an unjudged touchdown.
Manufacturer's published approach speed, or absent one, no more than 1.3 Vso, +10/−5 knots (ACS skill standard), with the approach stabilized early — configuration, attitude, descent rate, and trim locked in by the final visual reference. Trim matters more than usual: the technique is attitude-holding for an extended period, and a well-trimmed airplane holds it almost hands-off.
- Distance: the shallow approach consumes a lot of water — verify the area is long enough, since glassy technique and a confined area may be incompatible.
- Hidden hazards: glass hides deadheads, debris, and shallow water; recon first.
- Impatience: the classic error is 'it's taking too long, I'll just ease it down' — abandoning the attitude is how the technique fails; fly it until it touches.
- Amphibian gear: gear up for water, verbally confirmed — glassy landings are the highest-consequence moment for a gear mistake.
- Go-around: power is already in, so committing to a go-around is quick — attitude, full power, climb, and re-plan.
Same as any go-around, with one wrinkle: I may not know exactly how high I am. Full power, establish a positive climb attitude by instruments and feel, verify a positive rate before reconfiguring, and don't push the nose down for airspeed near the surface. Triggers include drift off the planned path, anything appearing in the touchdown zone, an unstable descent rate, or reaching my pre-planned abort point along the shore reference without touching down.
Official ACS elementsreference
Knowledge4 elements
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
PA.IV.J.K1A stabilized approach, including energy management concepts.PA.IV.J.K2Effects of atmospheric conditions, including wind, on approach and landing performance.PA.IV.J.K3When and why glassy water techniques are used.PA.IV.J.K4How a glassy water approach and landing is executed.
Risk Management7 elements
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
PA.IV.J.R1Selection of approach path and touchdown area based on pilot capability, airplane performance and limitations, and available distance.PA.IV.J.R2Water surface/condition.PA.IV.J.R3Planning for a go-around and rejected landing.PA.IV.J.R4Collision hazards.PA.IV.J.R5Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).PA.IV.J.R6Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.PA.IV.J.R7Gear position in an amphibious airplane.
Skills9 elements
The applicant exhibits the skill to:
PA.IV.J.S1Complete the appropriate checklist(s).PA.IV.J.S2Make radio calls as appropriate.PA.IV.J.S3Scan the landing area for traffic and obstructions.PA.IV.J.S4Select a proper approach and landing path considering the landing surface, visual attitude references, water depth, and collision hazards.PA.IV.J.S5Establish the recommended approach and landing configuration, airspeed, and trim, and adjust pitch attitude and power as required to maintain a stabilized approach.PA.IV.J.S6Maintain manufacturer’s published approach airspeed or in its absence not more than 1.3 VSO, +10/-5 knots.PA.IV.J.S7Make smooth, timely, and correct power and control adjustments to maintain proper pitch attitude and rate of descent to touchdown.PA.IV.J.S8Contact the water in a proper pitch attitude, and slow to idle taxi speed.PA.IV.J.S9Maintain directional control throughout the approach and landing.