Landing Before the Displaced Threshold

[‘Bob’]

Yeah.. you have airline pilots who are operating under a different part of the CARs and with SOPs that explicitly state stabilized approach criteria and define the touchdown zone saying that their rules apply to all aircraft and therefore landing on a displaced threshold is illegal.

It’s not illegal.. but it’s also not supposed to be done in almost any commercial operation.

And that’s why “if it’s icy”, you get a runway condition report, you run the performance charts and ensure you have the required margins, or you divert to your alternate or refuse the trip.

But in a light private plane so I can avoid a lengthy backtrack because of traffic or no AC? You bet I’m going to land on the displaced threshold.

[Bede]

However, TC has mentioned that just because it's legal doesn't mean a deviation from the best practices in the AIM would hold up in a tribunal, so use it at your own risk.

That's a bit of a bizarre statement. What would be the legal basis for TC to fine you if they admit that what you did was not illegal?

I thought the same thing. If there's no CAR that's contravened...

[Dias]

TC can fine you whenever they want with one of the multiple ambiguous or subjective regulations. Things like Reckless or Negligent Operation of Aircraft.

[‘Bob’]

TC can fine you whenever they want with one of the multiple ambiguous or subjective regulations. Things like Reckless or Negligent Operation of Aircraft.

Yeah…. I don’t think so.

They’ll fine you with that if you hit an obstacle.. or maybe if it’s some poor bastard’s house that you’re repeatedly flying a few from. But in that last example it would probably be more likely to be fined if you were dragging it in and landing past the displaced threshold than doing a steep approach with no power. Theres been a few tribunals where the defendants tried to argue they were “landing” but much too far away to be that low.

But some random trees (not necessarily even on centreline) protruding into the approach path and getting nailed with Reckless and Negligent Operation of an Aircraft? You probably also just got pulled over by a cop for doing five over on the freeway.

[Bede]

You guys need to quote the whole regulation.

602.01.1 No person shall operate an aircraft in such a reckless or negligent manner as to endanger or be likely to endanger the life or property of any person.

You have to place someone else's life or property in danger.

[Dias]

Well slamming your airliner into pavement not designed for landing is likely to damage property.

[digits_]

Well slamming your airliner into pavement not designed for landing is likely to damage property.

That's the crux with a displaced threshold: it's usually displaced due to obstacles, not because the surface is weaker.

I don't think anyone here is advocating doing this in airline ops either.

[airway]

https://x.com/Turbinetraveler/status/19 ... 2593470535

Not sure if the link will work, but it says it's a WestJet 700 landing short in Antigua in 2014. Watching this video I would have been pretty sure that was a no-no, but if it's not illegal then I guess it changes things?

It is not illegal in Canada, but WJ could have a SOP forbidding touch downs before a displaced threshold.
Antigua may have different regulations regarding this though.