Landing Rates: Understanding the -900 FPM Rule
What Delta Virtual measures at touchdown and when a landing needs technical review.
The landing-rate limit
Delta Virtual's normal maximum landing descent rate is -900 feet per minute (FPM). A recorded landing of -901 FPM or harder may be rejected, subject to technical review.
A more negative value means a faster downward descent at touchdown: for example, -700 FPM is within the stated limit, while -1,000 FPM exceeds it.
What determines the recorded number?
An approved ACARS client may record a touchdown rate using simulator telemetry. Exact sampling and detection methods can differ by client or simulator. A displayed value may also be affected by stutters, scenery collisions, bounced landings, pauses, or other technical problems.
What to do after a hard landing
- Review the recorded landing-rate value and other flight information.
- If the landing was genuinely hard, don't alter the log or simulator data to make it look better.
- If the value appears inaccurate, note any relevant simulator event or technical interruption.
- Submit the PIREP and explain the issue in its comments, or contact Pilot Operations if the report is already under review.
- Keep screenshots, logs, or other evidence that may help resolve a disputed result.
A technical defect should be considered during review; it does not automatically mean a flight is disqualified.
Practice tip
A stable approach, appropriate landing configuration, and consistent descent control help reduce hard landings. Use the aircraft manufacturer's simulator procedures rather than chasing a specific numerical score.
Policy reference: SOP v4.0, sections 6.4-6.5 and 7.2-7.4.
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