Descent Checklist

James Albright (a former G450 driver)

Updated: 2013-10-30

As the PM I like to have most of this done before the PF calls for it, but that is just me. You really ought to have this checklist done before you begin your descent. If the flight is too short, you can get a jump on it before you even take off. What about those days you can't get the landing runway information? Just brief your best guess and if it changes have the PM brief the differences.

Oh yes, two more things:

  • Aircraft control. Can you really give the briefing the attention it needs while flying the airplane? Let the PM brief it.

  • Visual approaches. If you are going to use an instrument approach as a backup to a visual approach, you probably ought to brief the instrument approach. It isn't much of a back up if it isn't properly set up.

Everything here is from the references shown below, with a few comments in an alternate color.

 [G450 Airplane Flight Manual §2-05-30]

  1. ATIS . . . RECEIVED

  2. Approach Briefing . . . ACCOMPLISHED

    • [G450 Airplane Flight Manual §3-05-30] (IFR)

      • Weather / Automated Terminal Information Service (ATIS)

      • Approach Procedures

      • Field Conditions

      • Notices To Airmen (NOTAMS)

      • Chart Designation

      • Date

      • Frequencies

      • Approach Course

      • Glideslope (GS) / Final Approach Fix (FAF) Altitude

      • Minimum Descent Altitude (MDA) / Decision Altitude (DA)

      • Missed Approach Point (MAP)

      • Notes

      • Missed Approach Procedure

      • Approach Speed / Configuration

      • Abnormal Implications

      • Questions / Concerns

    • [G450 Airplane Flight Manual §3-05-30] (VFR)

      • Runway in Use

      • Traffic Pattern Direction / Altitude

      • Missed Approach Intentions

      • Approach Speed / Configuration

      • Abnormal Implications

      • Questions / Concerns

  3. FMS . . . ARRIVAL SET

    This should include the LDG INIT step.

  4. HUD Combiner . . . DEPLOY FOR USE / CHECK

  5. Flight Instruments . . . SET / AS REQUIRED

    • NAV AIDS . . . TUNED AND IDENTIFIED

    • Course Selection . . . INBOUND COURSE

    • MDA / DA . . . SET

    • HUD DC Page . . . SET

    • Marker Beacons . . . SELECTED

  6. Cowl / Wing Anti-Ice . . . AUTO / AS REQUIRED

  7. Pressurization . . . AUTO / LANDING

    It should automatically switch after you have descended more than 1,000 feet, though it will switch back if you level off for more than 3 minutes.

 References:

Gulfstream G450 Aircraft Operating Manual, Revision 35, April 30, 2013.

Gulfstream G450 Airplane Flight Manual, Revision 35, April 18, 2013